The plea for former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and current Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar has been deferred to next month.
The two accused appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon before Resident Magistrate Krishan Prasad.
Sayed-Khaiyum’s defence counsel, Gul Fatima, informed the Court that the matter called yesterday was for plea, however she was informed that the Prosecution needed more time to finalize the documents that were needed by the Defence.
Ms. Fatima also informed the Court that the Defence had no objection to the Prosecution’s request for further time.
Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Senior State Counsel, Ms. Arieta Vaganalau replied that the majority of the documents requested by the Defence are solicitor-client privileged documents.
The Court then granted the Prosecution 21 days to serve further documents to the defence.
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with One (1) Count of Abuse of Office for Gain for allegedly initiating five legal proceedings on behalf of FBCL, between 1 July 2017 and 31 January 2023, without the knowledge and approval of the FBCL Board of Directors.
The legal proceedings were against current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, the Fiji Labour Party, Niko Nawaikula, Ben Padarath & Deo Raj and Feroz Gulam Mohammed.
Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with an Alternate Charge of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss by pursuing legal cases which were not in the interest of FBCL, amounting to $138,813.37.
Sagar is charged with One (1) Count of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss for approving payment to be made to R. Patel Lawyers without the approval of the FBCL Board of Directors, amounting to $15,075.88.
The matter has been adjourned to 1 April 2025 and bail has been extended for the two accused.