Sayed-Khaiyum and Saneem Acquitted of All Charges

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem have been acquitted of all charges after the High Court found them not guilty.

The judgment was delivered today by Chief Justice Salesi Temo, bringing to an end a case that had been adjourned several times since February.

Sayed-Khaiyum had faced one count of abuse of office, while Saneem was charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit.

The charges stemmed from the approval of tax-related payments connected to Saneem's employment package in 2022.

Prosecutors had alleged that between 30 June and 12 July 2022, Sayed-Khaiyum, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum between the Government of Fiji and Saneem that allowed for the payment of Saneem's taxes without the approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.

It was alleged that the decision constituted an abuse of office and was prejudicial to the interests of the Government.

Saneem, meanwhile, was accused of unlawfully obtaining a benefit for himself by requesting and receiving approval for more than $50,000 in deductible tax relief on back pay from a senior government official between June and July 2022.

Following the conclusion of the trial, Chief Justice Temo found both men not guilty and formally acquitted them of the charges.

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