The State has been granted time to resolve pretrial conference issues in the cases of former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the company’s current chief financial officer, Vimlesh Sagar.
Prosecutor Arieta Vaganalau sought and was granted 14 days by Magistrate Charles Ratakele at the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office for gain and an alternative charge of general dishonesty causing a loss.
He is alleged to have pursued five legal proceedings without the knowledge and approval of the FBC board at a cost of $138,813.37. The alleged offence occurred between July 1, 2017 and January 31 last year.
Mr Sagar is charged with general dishonesty for allegedly approving payments to RPatel Lawyers without the approval of the FBC board, amounting to $15,075.88. This allegedly occurred between January 1, 2023 and December 31 of last year.
Defence lawyers — Ritesh Singh from Sherani & Co representing Mr Sagar, and Gul Fatima from RPatel lawyers representing Mr Sayed-Khaiyum — had no objection to Ms Vaganalau’s request for more time.
The case is adjourned to June 3 to check on pretrial issues.
