FICAC to reevaluate charges laid against Riyaz and Sagar

FICAC will reevaluate charges against former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation CEO, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar.

They appeared before Magistrates Sufia Hamza this morning.

This is the matter where both are charged in relation to purchasing 3.0L Volkswagon Touareg for $207,240.

Sagar’s lawyer, Ritesh Singh and Sayed-Khaiyum’s lawyer Gul Fatima have made representations to FICAC to withdrawal the charges.

Singh says Sagar had only followed the directive of his CEO and therefore wrote to FICAC on 24th of October to reconsider the charges.

Meanwhile, State Counsel, Lilian Mausio also requested for this matter and another matter where both are charged in relation to initiating 5 legal proceedings without the approval of the Board to be heard in Magistrates Court 4.

Magistrate Hamza says matters should be heard separately until a proper application is made.

In today’s case, Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with abuse of office and general dishonesty causing a loss while Sagar is charged with general dishonesty causing a loss and is also accused of approving the payments to purchase the vehicle.

Sayed-Khaiyum is accused of circumventing the tender process in FBC’s finance manual in purchasing his 3.0L Volkswagon Touareg for $207,240.

It is also alleged that obtaining that vehicle caused FBC a total loss of $84,470. The trial will is from the 2nd to 12th of September this year.

The case has been adjourned to the 15th of May.