Malé, Maldives – Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has responded to the Opposition’s mayoral candidate of Male’ City in the upcoming local council elections, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s claims that his summon to the commission last Sunday was politically motivated.
In a statement earlier today, the ACC stated that their investigations are planned well in advance, and are done under established procedures. In this regard, prioritization of cases for investigation are not motivated politically, and candidates in upcoming elections are not targeted.
They disclosed in the statement that the order of investigation of cases is decided by the commission- implying that there is no external influence on the matter.
They also noted that they do not inform the media of individuals summoned to the commission, clarifying that they did not let the media know that Muizzu was being summoned to the ACC.
While there have been claims by the opposition, and by the public that Muizzu’s summon the the ACC was to influence the upcoming local council elections.
ACC denied this in their statement, invalidating claims that this one done at the request of certain individuals.The statement revealed that the ACC is troubled by these untrue claims that paint a bad image of the commision to the public.
Muizzu was summoned on the 21st of March, after the Prosecutor General’s Office revealed that Dr. Muizzu was charged with perjury following his false testimony in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on June 25, 2019, as a witness on behalf of Noomadi Resorts and Residences, against the Maldivian state.
Details of the false statement given by Dr. Muizzu were also revealed including that his statement included that Noomadi had been completing all work on schedule without fail as per the phase 1 agreement signed in 2011 and phase 2 agreement signed in 2013.
His wrongful testimony also included that he had not partaken in the negotiations to retrieve Lh. Dhiffushimaadhoo for government purposes, which had initially been given to Noomadi Resorts to construct luxury villas.
Noomadi filed a case in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, Netherlands, claiming USD155 million in damages and other arbitrary expenses. The government of Maldives has since signed a settlement agreement with Noomadi, on 26th August 2019. Maldives paid USD 55 million to the company in the out of court settlement.
