The Suva Magistrate Sufia Hamza will announce her decision on Monday regarding the bail application of former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. This case involves former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Health Minister Doctor Neil Sharma.
Magistrate Hamza will not reconsider Magistrate Yogesh Prasad’s decision to deny Sayed-Khaiyum’s request to travel to Singapore. Sayed-Khaiyum was taken to the hospital after leaving the court and experiencing severe pain.
Sayed-Khaiyum’s defence counsel, Devanesh Sharma, and Gul Fatima argued that according to section 30 of the Bail Act, a Magistrate can review another Magistrate’s bail ruling. They emphasized the situation’s urgency and Sayed-Khaiyum’s need for medical treatment.
Magistrate Prasad noted no evidence of regular medical check-up reports or an immediate medical emergency. He also found issues with the consistency of the doctor’s signature and stamp on Sayed-Khaiyum’s medical report.
Sayed-Khaiyum’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, expressed their desire to cross-examine the Investigating Officer. Magistrate Hamza specified that the Investigating Officer and Sayed-Khaiyum must be present at the hearing.
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