The judgment in the case against the former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem has been adjourned to the 14th of May.

Chief Justice, Justice Salesi Temo, informed the court that he needs time to go through the terms of the contract, an important piece of evidence in this case.

Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office, while Saneem is charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit of over 55 thousand dollars in tax relief on his back pay.

Senior Defence Counsel Devanesh Sharma and lawyer Gul Fatima represent the two accused.

Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva is the prosecutor, while the complainant is the Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa.

It is alleged 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, 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.

Defence counsel indicated their intention to make further submissions, citing recent developments in case law that may assist the Court.