Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has stressed that the Chief Justice’s ruling is crystal clear after the Fijian Elections Office rejected his $2 million demand issued on 29th June this year over alleged malicious prosecution in public office.
Saneem and former Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum were acquitted by Chief Justice Salesi Temo on charges relating to receiving corrupt benefit and abuse of office.
Saneem says the FEO's response is, once again, founded on an incorrect interpretation of the law and a misunderstanding of their own standing in this matter.
He says Section 18 of the Electoral Act 2014 required any complaint of this kind to be reported in writing to FICAC but in this case, it was not.
Saneem says instead, it was taken to the Police, a body given no role whatsoever under that section.
He stresses the immunity and independence arguments now raised cannot survive that simple fact.
Saneem further stresses that he will not be pursuing this as a single, joint claim against a faceless office, but will be pursuing his claims against each of them individually, on the basis of their own individual conduct and their own individual decisions.
