Sayed-Khaiyum allowed to travel to Singapore

Former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been allowed to travel to Singapore on medical grounds.

While delivering the ruling Magistrate Jeremaia Savou says there are sufficient reasons for Sayed-Khaiyum to return, and those are family, business and financial reasons.

He says the court is satisfied that the reason for him to travel outside the jurisdiction fall into the bracket of essential travel, especially the medical report from Singapore appears to be insisting for him to travel.

In his ruling, Magistrate Savou says the State had objected to bail inter alia that there is an inherent risk that Sayed-Khaiyum shall not return.

He says there are no compelling reasons provided by the State in their affidavit to dissuade the court from its finding.

Magistrate Savou says Sayed-Khaiyum's passport will be released to him at 2pm today and must be returned to the Suva Magistrates Court Criminal Registry on or before 26th October this year.

The stop departure order issued of 2nd May this year will be uplifted temporarily with immediate effect and will be reinstated on 26th October this year.

He says Sayed-Khaiyum's reporting condition for this month is waived, however he is required to recommence signing at Namaka Police Station from next month.

Magistrate Savou says his permanent residence in Martintar, Nadi is waived from today to 26th October.

Sayed-Khaiyum says he hopes to leave the country this week.

Sayed-Khaiyum has applied to travel to Singapore for his medical review, which has been delayed since 2022 due to work commitments.

He is charged with one count of abuse of office which relates to a report lodged by the Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa.

Mataiciwa had lodged the report at Totogo Police Station in February.

It is alleged that Sayed-Khaiyum between June 30th and July 12th last year, while being the Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government and the then Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem.

It is alleged the approval for the government to pay the taxes of Saneem was done without the proper approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.

The matter has been adjourned to 27th October.