The Suva Magistrates Court has granted the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) time to confirm its stance in the remaining criminal legal proceedings against former Fiji Broadcasting Corporation CEO Mr. Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and current Chief Financial Officer Mr. Vimlesh Sagar.
FICAC Senior State Counsel Ms. Arieta Vaganalau had advised the court that Prosecution is relooking at the matter and the agreed facts for Pre-Trial Conference.
Resident Magistrate Charles Ratakele granted the prosecution 14 days after no objections were raised by the defence counsels, Ms. Gul Fatima for the 1st Accused and Mr. Ritesh Singh the counsel for the 2nd Accused.
Ms. Fatima had also advised the Court that she also intends to make further representation to FICAC regarding this matter.
The matter has been adjourned to 3 June 2025.
Mr. Riyaz 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 former FBC CEO 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.
Mr. Vimlesh Sagar is charged with One (1) Count of General Dishonesty – Causing A Loss for approving payments to be made to R Patel Lawyers with the FBCL Board of Director’s approval, amounting to $15,075.88.
Meanwhile FICAC has decided to discontinue the second case against Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum and Mr. Sagar yesterday, involving the purchase of a company vehicle.
Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum had been charged with One (1) Count of Abuse for allegedly circumventing the tender process in FBCL’s Finance Manual to procure a Volkswagon Touareg vehicle for FJ$207,470.00.
In the Alternative Count, Sayed-Khaiyum is alleged to have dishonestly caused a loss to Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Pte Limited by procuring his Volkswagon Touareg vehicle for FJ$207,470.00, amounting to a total loss of FJ$84,470.00 to FBCL.
Mr. Sagar was charged with One (1) Count of General Dishonesty – Causing A Loss by approving payments relating to the purchase of the Volkswagon Touareg for FJ$207,470.00, which were not in the best interest of FBCL and amounting to a loss of $84,470.00 to FBCL.
FICAC Principal State Counsel Ms. Lilian Mausio filed the Nolle Prosequi application, pursuant to Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Ms. Mausio informed the Court that after re-evaluating the file and the totality of the evidence, it was agreed that Nolle Prosequi would be the best course of action to take.
Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola has lifted the bail conditions for the two Defendants, including the Stop Departure Order.