fijivillageONRECORD with Vijay Narayan @8AM - Thursday 14th May, 2026 It is judgement day today for…

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]This is Fiji Village on record. I'm VJ Narayan here to provide you an update for this hour. It is judgement day today for former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem. Chief Justice Salesi Temo had adjourned the case on March 30th to today as he said that he needed more time to prepare his judgement. He had earlier adjourned the matter from February to March this year.

[00:00:27]The judgement is scheduled for 10:30 this morning. Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office while Mohammed Saneem is charged with one count of receiving a corrupt benefit.

[00:00:39]The maximum penalty for these charges is 10 years imprisonment. It is alleged that between the 30th of June 2022 and the 12th of July 2022, whilst being employed in the civil service as the acting Prime Minister of Fiji, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum signed a deed of variation and addendum between the government of Fiji and the Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem agreeing to pay the taxes of Mohammed Saneem without the proper approval of the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President of Fiji in abuse of the authority of his office. It is alleged that between the 1st of June and the 31st of July 2022, whilst being employed as the Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem without lawful authority and reasonable excuse asked for and obtained a benefit for himself, that is the approval and payment of deductible tax relief of more than $50,000 on his back pay from a senior government official. You'll find out at 10:30 this morning on whether the Chief Justice first of all will deliver his judgement and whether he will find the two individuals guilty or not guilty. Stay with us for developments. For Fiji Village News, I'm VJ For Fiji Village News, I'm Vijay Narayan.