Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa in a special court sitting.

The case against Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has been adjourned to next week Tuesday for the hearing on two pending applications.

The duo had applied for the consolidation of charges and Saneem made an application to strike out the charge against him.

The hearing will be before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.

Defense Counsel Devanesh Sharma seeked the court’s permission for Sayed-Khaiyum to be excused for the hearing next week.

Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva did not object to this and the court has excused Sayed-Khaiyum.

In this matter, Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office.

It is alleged that he authorized the government to pay taxes for former Supervisor of Elections – Mohammed Saneem, without requisite approval from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.

Saneem is charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit.

It is alleged that he solicited and received a corrupt benefit for personal gain, while serving as the Supervisor of Elections.

It is alleged that between June 1st and July 31st 2022, Saneem, in his capacity as a public official, unlawfully sought and received a benefit exceeding $50,000 in deductible tax relief, on his back-pay from a senior government official.