Former A-G, Former SOE Questioned by Police
Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem were questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department yesterday. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was questioned at the Valelevu Police Station in Nasinu while Mr Saneem was questioned at the CID headquarters in Toorak, Suva. Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (A/ACP) Sakeo Raikaci said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr Saneem were questioned with regards to a report lodged by the Acting Supervisor of Elections last month in relation to various allegations of abuse of office and the use of forged documents.
Background
In a statement dated February 14, 2023, Fijian Elections Office said FEO lodged a complaint against Mr Saneem and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, with the Fiji Police Force on allegations of bribery, receiving a corrupting benefit and abuse of office. FEO said these relate to Mr Saneem’s remuneration being reviewed and approved after one and a half years had lapsed in his new contract.
“The amendments to his contract included salary increment which included backdating it to preceding one and a half years, Government agreeing to pay his tax due on the back pay, payment of election readiness and post-election bonus, Mr Saneem’s family relocation overseas and costs associated with travel and accommodation paid by the FEO for three months prior to elections,” the FEO said in the statement.
“These benefits given to Mr Saneem through remunerations and allowances were paid out to him during the campaign period of the 2022 General Election,” Acting ACP Raikaci confirmed that the questioning of Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr Saneem were in relation to the allegations brought forward and highlighted by FEO.