Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's bail variation denied again

Former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has once again been denied permission to travel to Singapore for medical assessment.

Sayed-Khaiyum was present in the High Court for the ruling, along with his wife.

In his ruling today, Chief Justice Salesi Temo says the medical evidence provided was not persuasive enough to grant the bail variation application.

He says that according to State doctors, Sayed-Khaiyum’s medical condition can be investigated and treated in Fiji.

The Chief Justice says that the medical reports were unclear as to whether Sayed-Khaiyum had suffered a stroke or had serious heart problems that could endanger his life.

He says he would have been the first to allow Sayed-Khaiyum to travel if crucial medical reports had been provided, but he has to be fair.

He stressed that doctors must prepare medical reports in a way that judges can understand.

The Chief Justice further says that the matter had been before the Magistrates Court for about two years before being transferred to the High Court, and stressed that the case needs to be heard as soon as possible.

Defence counsel, Gul Fatima says that if her client was not well enough to stand trial, they would make a further application.

The Chief Justice responded that how they chose to tackle his ruling was their decision.

Fatima says they were raising this as a pre-trial conference matter.

Acting Director for Public Prosecutions, Nancy Tikoisuva says they have 19 witnesses and the list is expected to reduce if the defence agrees to the agreed documents and facts.

Chief Justice Temo says Sayed-Khaiyum must remain in Fiji and appear for the trial.

The case has been adjourned to September 10th for a general review, with the trial scheduled from September 15th to October 3rd.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office while former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit.

It is alleged that Sayed-Khaiyum between June 30th and July 12th in 2022, whilst being the Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and the then Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem and that the approval for the government to pay the taxes of Mohammed Saneem was done without the proper approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji.

It is alleged that between the 1st of June 2022 and the 31st of July 2022, while being employed as the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem without lawful authority and reasonable excuse, asked for and obtained a benefit for himself, that is the approval and payment/waiver of tax of more than $55,000 that was charged on his back pay as a Supervisor of Elections.