CJ says he may throw out case against Sayed-Khaiyum and Saneem if State and witness don’t persuade him

Chief Justice Salesi Temo says that if the State and the witnesses do not persuade him, he will throw out the case against former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Election Mohammed Saneem, who are charged with abuse of office.

Chief Justice Temo stressed this after he says he was lost by the evidence given by Fijian Elections Office's Director Corporate Services, Sanjeshwar Ram, who is the second State witness in the trial.

Chief Justice Temo was confused as to how Ram was giving his evidence regarding the two Deeds of Variation.

The Chief Justice says that the burden lies on the State to persuade him.

Ram informed the court that the Financial Controller raised the concern about tax reimbursement that was processed.

He says he was given all the supporting documents for the payment.

Ram says it's strange for a Fiji citizen's backpay tax of $55,944 to be covered by the government.

The Director Corporate Services says $55,944 was paid to Saneem’s Westpac Bank account.

Ram further says Fiji citizens are to pay their own tax.

Following this, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva rephrased her questions and the trial continues.

The cross-examination is underway.

Sayed-Khaiyum and Saneem are charged with abuse of office and receiving a corrupt benefit respectively in 2022.

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.

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