The prosecution is ready to proceed to trial against former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former chief financial officer Vimlesh Sagar, with proceedings scheduled to begin on August 25.
Senior prosecutor Setefano Komaibaba informed Magistrate Charles Ratakele yesterday they were ready for trial and intended to call between 10 and 15 witnesses.
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 of directors at a cost of $138,813.37, which were not in the interest of the company. The alleged incidents occurred between July 1, 2017, and January 31, 2023.
Mr Sagar is charged with general dishonesty, having allegedly caused a loss by approving payments to R. Patel Lawyers without the prior approval of the FBC board, amounting to $15,075.88.
This allegedly occurred between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
Bail for the two has been extended, with the case adjourned to July 31 for a final pretrial conference.
