The former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Pte Limited (FBCL), Mr. Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and the current Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Vimlesh Sagar, appeared before the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon in relation to corruption-related charges.
Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum has been charged with one count of Abuse of Office and one alternative count of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss. It is alleged that between 1 September 2022 and 11 November 2022, Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum circumvented FBCL’s tender process and procurement policy by authorising the purchase of a Volkswagen Touareg valued at $207,470.00.
In the alternative count, it is alleged that during the same period, Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum dishonestly caused a financial loss of $84,470.00 to FBCL by authorising the procurement in breach of FBCL’s procurement policy, knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that it would occur.
Mr. Sagar has been charged with one count of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss. It is alleged that between 1 October 2022 and 1 December 2022, he dishonestly caused a financial loss of $84,470.00 to FBCL by approving payments for the purchase of the Volkswagen Touareg in breach of FBCL’s procurement policy and without proper board authorisation, knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that it would occur.
The prosecution informed the court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrate Ms. Diroiroi granted both accused persons non-cash bail set at $5,000 each, with standard bail conditions applied.
The matter has been adjourned to 4 September 2025 for the second phase of disclosures.