The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption has assessed that Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum did not understate the value of his asset declaration.
Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa had filed a complaint with the Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem claiming that Sayed‑Khaiyum had understated the value of the land which they alleged he owned.
FICAC says after a thorough case assessment into the factual findings of the allegations made, they found out that the land in question was purchased by and is owned by Midlife Investment Limited and not Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum.
It was also revealed that Sayed‑Khaiyum only had shares in Midlife Investment Limited and did not own the company.
FICAC says in light of the findings of its investigations and comprehensive legal analysis, the Opposition Leader should not take any further action relating to the issue.
In a press conference, Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum raised questions about several alleged flaws within the Income, Assets, and Liabilities declaration of Ro Teimumu Kepa.
Sayed‑Khaiyum then questioned why a complaint by the Opposition Leader was being sent by Mick Beddoes, the Opposition Office Principal Administrative Officer.
He also raised the question about Mick Beddoes declarations.
Sayed‑Khaiyum says he has not filed an official complaint on this.
He also says that SODELPA Youth Wing President, Pita Waqavonovono had gone to his parents house to look for the location of Midlife Investment Limited.
SODELPA Youth Wing President Pita Waqavonovono says he invites Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum to file a case against him for harassment and show that his parents are so important to him.
Waqavonovono says Sayed Khaiyum, alleged that he harassed and intimidated a series of people in trying to get information on Midlife Investments.
According to Waqavonovono at the Opposition Office he is a research officer and after discovering that Midlife Investments did not exist as no file was with the Register of Titles, he decided to go to the registered address of Midlife Investments which was 40 Lovoni Road.
He says he spoke to the house girl who explained that it was not a business address, it was the home of the Sayed‑Khaiyum family.
Waqavonovono also said that the house girl told him that whilst she has been there for the last 8 years, she has never seen any letter addressed to MIDLIFE or even experienced a business setup.
Meanwhile, Opposition Office Principal Administrative Officer, Mick Beddoes says in Ro Teimumu Kepa’s absence she occasionally directs him to sign off on various communication from time to time.
Beddoes says on Kepa’s complaint against the AG's false declaration, she was in the North and wanted it sent before she returned, so she instructed him to sign off on it.
Mick Beddoes also says although what Sayed Khaiyum is saying about his shares is unclear to him, he will have to check his files to understand what it is he is alleging.
Beddoes says if there is a breach of some sort on his part, then he is ready to face the consequences, just as any law abiding citizen would and he challenges the AG to do the same, face up and subject himself to due process and lead by example.
