Sayed-Khaiyum and Saneem trial to begin at 2.30 this afternoon

The trial for the abuse of office case involving former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem will begin at 2.30 this afternoon.

The trial was initially scheduled to start at 10.30am.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office, while Saneem faces a charge of receiving a corrupt benefit.

When asked about the reason for the delay, the High Court Registry did not provide any details.

Meanwhile, the State is expected to call 20 witnesses and will rely on the caution interview, which has not been challenged.

State Prosecutor Hezekiah Nofaga earlier informed the Court that the Master of the High Court in Lautoka will also be called as a witness, and requested that this be heard in a closed court.

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.