Former FBC CEO Riyaz Sayed Khaiyum and FBC Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar’s plea in the Suva Magistrates Court has been deferred.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Krishan Prasad this afternoon.

FICAC lawyer, Arieta Vaganalau informed the court that there are legally privileged documents that can’t be served as disclosures.

She adds FICAC also need to get a statement from a witness, who is out of the country.

Vaganalau requested for four to five weeks to serve the disclosures to defence, however the court did not approve.

Magistrate Prasad informed the court that under the constitution every person charged with an offence has the right to have the trial begin and conclude without unreasonable delay.

The court set 21 days for FICAC to serve disclosures.

Sayed-Khaiyum’s Lawyer Gul Fatima informed the court that if disclosures are not served, she will consider filing a formal application for discovery so that documents can be produced.

Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of Abuse of Office and one count of General Dishonesty Causing a Loss while Vimlesh Sagar is charged with one count of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss.

It is alleged that Sayed- Khaiyum between the 1 July 2017 and 31 January 2023, initiated five legal proceedings on behalf of FBCL without the knowledge and approval of the FBCL Board of Directors, which were acts prejudicial to the rights of FBCL for the purpose of gain amounting to $138, 813.37.

It is also alleged that between the 1st of July 2017 and 31st of January 2023 in Suva, Sayed Khaiyum dishonestly caused a loss to FBCL by pursuing legal cases which were not in the interest of FBCL, amounting to $138, 813.37 knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that the loss would occur to the FBCL.

It is alleged that Sagar between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, dishonestly caused a loss to FBCL by approving payments to be made to R Patel Lawyers without the FBCL Board of Director’s approval, amounting to $15, 075.88 knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that the loss would occur.

The matter has been adjourned to the 1st of April.