As the defence counsel gets ready today to argue to have former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum get bail variation for travel overseas, the prosecution is likely to raise issues regarding the provision of an independent assessment by a specialist on the stroke he has allegedly suffered and other alleged medical complications.
When questioned by fijivillage News on whether they have an assessment of a specialist, Sayed-Khaiyum's legal counsel, Gul Fatima says they received Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's medical report from the hospital on Tuesday morning 29th July and this was filed with the Court Registry in Sayed-Khaiyum's brother and only sibling's affidavit.
Fatima says they requested the Registry to call the matter urgently as the team of doctors who have assessed Sayed-Khaiyum have recommended urgent medical assessments for his cardiac condition which cannot be performed and are not available locally, and neurological condition.
She says in response, they were informed by the Registry that this matter will be called tomorrow as it had been adjourned from Friday which is when it was scheduled to be mentioned when they last appeared on 16th July.
Fatima says they were informed by the Registry that the Chief Justice is travelling.
She says they had requested for this matter to be called urgently as they fear, based on the recommendations of the doctors, that their client could suffer another medical episode, a stroke or cardiac event which could be fatal.
Fatima says they have been informed by family members that CID Officers had arrived at the Hospital on Tuesday evening wanting to see Sayed-Khaiyum and were at the hospital again on Thursday.
Sayed-Khaiyum's counsel says despite their efforts, the Court Registry has relayed the Chief Justice's directives which are for the parties to file their papers, and for the matter to be called tomorrow for general review.
Fatima says Sayed-Khaiyum has suffered from a stroke and ischaemic heart disease and his cardiology related issues are consistent with the earlier medical evidence that they had presented in three previous applications between June 2024 and May 2025, and all of which were declined.
She says they are concerned about Sayed-Khaiyum's constitutional right to life, health and his three young children and wife, Ela.
The Office of the DPP is expected to discuss the matters tomorrow on whether it has managed to verify whether Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum actually suffered a stroke, whether they are satisfied with the defence counsel providing the reports to determine this and whether he needs overseas treatment.
Chief Justice Salesi Temo had said in court last month that if Sayed-Khaiyum has serious heart problems then he should go to Pacific Specialist Hospital as they have some success stories.
He wished Sayed-Khaiyum a speedy recovery.
His trial date is set for 15th September to 3rd October.
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office while former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit. 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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