Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Sagar to take their plea on 3rd December

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and FBC's Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar will take their plea on the 3rd of December this year in the matters where they allegedly initiated five legal proceedings on behalf of FBC without the knowledge and approval of the Board of Directors and in another case for allegedly circumventing the tender process in FBC’s finance manual in purchasing the CEO’s vehicle, a 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg.

The matter relating to the vehicle purchase was called before Acting Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola while the matter regarding the legal proceedings was called before Magistrate Krishan Prasad this morning.

In both the matters, Sagar's lawyer, Ritesh Singh informed the court that a presentation has been made to FICAC for which they are waiting for a response

Sayed-Khaiyum's lawyer Gul Fatima informed both the courts that the substance of the representation made by Singh relates to the elements of the charges against Sayed-Khaiyum and perhaps FICAC can reconsider the charges before a plea is taken.

FICAC Lawyer, Nimisha Shankar sought time to respond to the matters.

The decision on whether the matter regarding the vehicle purchase will be transferred to the High Court or not will be made on the 3rd of December as it is an indictable offence.

In the matter before the Acting Chief Magistrate, the former FBC CEO faces charges of abuse of office and general dishonesty causing a loss.

He is accused of circumventing the tender process in FBC’s finance manual in purchasing his 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg for $207,240.

It is also alleged that obtaining that vehicle caused FBC a total loss of $84,470.

The incidents are alleged to have occurred between September 1st and November 11th in 2022.

Sagar is charged with general dishonesty causing a loss for allegedly approving the payments to purchase the vehicle.

In the matter before Magistrate Prasad, Sayed-Khaiyum is charged by FICAC with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

It is alleged that between 1st July 2017 to 31st January 2023 while being employed as the CEO of FBC Sayed-Khaiyum abused his office, did arbitrary acts namely initiated five legal proceedings on behalf of FBC without the knowledge and approval of the Board of Directors which amounted to $138,813.

It is also alleged that between 1st July to 31st January 2023 Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum dishonestly caused a loss to FBC by pursuing legal cases which were not in interest of the company amounting to $138,813 knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that the loss would occur to FBC.

It is alleged that between 1st January to 31st December 2023 Sagar dishonestly caused a loss to FBC by approving payments made to R Patel Lawyers without the Board of Director’s approval amounting to $15,075 knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that the loss would occur to FBC.