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🇫🇯 Fiji /Crime & Justice

FICAC ready for trial next month

From FBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • FICAC is ready to proceed with a trial next month involving former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and CFO Vimlesh Sagar.
  • Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges of abuse of office and dishonesty for pursuing legal cases without board approval, allegedly causing a loss of over $138,000.
  • Sagar is charged with dishonesty for approving payments totaling $15,000 to a law firm without board approval.

The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) has assured the Suva Magistrates Court it is prepared for the trial of former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar. The trial is scheduled to begin next month.

Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges related to abuse of office for gain and general dishonesty, with allegations of causing a loss of $138,813.37. Prosecutors claim that between 2017 and 2024, he initiated five legal cases without securing board approval.

Sagar is accused of general dishonesty causing a loss for allegedly approving payments of $15,075.88 to R Patel Lawyers in 2023 without the board's consent. Both defendants' lawyers have submitted representations to FICAC, awaiting a response on whether the charges will proceed. FICAC has stated it will provide a fresh set of agreed facts and plans to call 15 witnesses. The court will reconvene for final pre-trial checks on the 31st of this month.

FICAC will be calling 15 witnesses in this matter.

— FICAC lawyer Setefano KomaibabaDuring the court proceedings, FICAC lawyer Setefano Komaibaba informed the court about the number of witnesses the commission intends to call.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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