Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar’s abuse of office case

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar have been charged by FICAC and will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

In separate case Sayed-Khaiyum is charged 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.

Stay with us for updates.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and FBC's Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar have been granted bail.

Both appeared before Suva Magistrate Krishan Prasad this afternoon.

The first-phase of disclosures have also been served.

Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is charged by FICAC with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

In a separate case Sayed-Khaiyum is charged 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

Magistrate Prasad granted a non-cash bail of $5000 with two sureties bonded with $5,000 non-cash bail and ordered them not to re-offend while on bail and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

A stop-departure order has been issued while they are also required to surrender their travel documents.

Magistrate Prasad had refused the second surety of Vimlesh Sagar as he was not satisfied that the surety would ensure that he'll attend all the court dates.

The matter has been adjourned to 26th of August for the second phase.

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.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and FBC Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar have pleaded not guilty to their charges.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

In separate cases, Sayed-Khaiyum is charged 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.

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

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.

A total of 25 witnesses will appear for the Pre Trial Conference.

Bail has been extended for Sayed-Khaiyum and Sagar.

The matter is adjourned to the 11th of December.

The case of the former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation CEO, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar, has been adjourned to next Monday.

They both appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza this afternoon.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office and general dishonesty causing a loss while Sagar is charged with general dishonesty causing a loss and is also accused of approving the payments to purchase the vehicle.

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

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

The trial is from the 2nd to 12th of September this year.

The case involving former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation CEO, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar, has been discontinued.

State Prosecutor Lilian Mausio stated that after re-evaluating the file, she applied under Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act to discontinue the matter against both accused.

Chief Magistrate, Josaia Waqaivolavola has also lifted the stop departure order for this case only.

Sayed-Khaiyum was earlier accused of circumventing the tender process outlined in FBC’s financial manual when purchasing his 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg for $207,240.

However Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar are still facing other charges.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

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

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, and did arbitrary acts namely initiating 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 the 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.

This case will be called tomorrow.

The hearing for Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar abuse of office and dishonestly causing a loss will be called on June 3rd.

The two appeared before Magistrate Charles Ratakele this morning.

They have been given 14 days for pretrial issues, and their bail has been extended.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

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

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, and did arbitrary acts namely initiating 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 the 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.

Fijian Broadcasting Corporation’s former CEO, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar's pre-trial conference will continue on the 3rd of July.

The State counsel says they have emailed 69 pages of proposed documents to both defence counsels.

Both defence counsels have requested additional time to review the documents before reaching a consensus on the agreed facts.

The State counsel says they will have to finalise the agreed facts.

The trial is from the 2nd to the 12th of September this year.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged 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.

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

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, and did arbitrary acts namely initiating 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, Sayed-Khaiyum dishonestly caused a loss to FBC by pursuing legal cases which were not in the 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.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar are currently in custody at the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption office.

FICAC says they will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces two charges of abuse of office and general dishonesty – causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

FICAC says the charges stem from allegations involving the tender and procurement of a 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg vehicle valued at $207,470.00.

Stay with us for developments.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar have been recharged by FICAC for an earlier discontinued matter.

Both appeared before Magistrate Viniana Diroiroi this afternoon after being in FICAC custody.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces two charges of abuse of office and general dishonesty – causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

FICAC says these charges stem from allegations involving the tender and procurement of a 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg vehicle valued at $207,470.00.

Both were discharged on the 15th of May for this matter after FICAC withdrew the case.

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

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar are currently in custody at the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption office.

FICAC says they will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces two charges of abuse of office and general dishonesty – causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

FICAC says the charges stem from allegations involving the tender and procurement of a 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg vehicle valued at $207,470.00.

Stay with us for developments.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar have been recharged by FICAC for an earlier discontinued matter.

Both appeared before Magistrate Viniana Diroiroi this afternoon after being in FICAC custody.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces two charges of abuse of office and general dishonesty – causing a loss while Sagar is charged with one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.

FICAC says these charges stem from allegations involving the tender and procurement of a 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg vehicle valued at $207,470.00.

Both were discharged on the 15th of May for this matter after FICAC withdrew the case.

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