Upon receiving information, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated investigation on allegation that former Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporations (MMPRC) has acquired a property from Hulhumale consisting a land and a building and all other properties in that land which has paid by the company’s money. Investigation findings and decision on forwarding case to prosecution is given below;
1. Investigation revealed that a case concluded by Hulhumale Magistrate Court declares, the acquisition process carried to purchase the property in Hulhumale lot number 10721 (Registry number GA 670 H / 181.448 square feet) is legally binding, henceforth buyer is the owner of the property. Nevertheless, it was alleged that the payment for the property was done by money of MMPRC, therefore, the matter was investigated to clarify any relationship exists between the parties involved in the acquisition of the Hulhumale’s land. Findings unfolded that AA. Mathiveri Finolhu is an Island awarded to the party who have sold the above mentioned property (Hulhumale lot number 10721). Documents related to the sales of Island and payment receipts of MMPRC stated that USD $300,000.00 and USD $100,000.00 has issued to MMPRC by the awarded party respectively on 23rd September 2014 and 22nd December 2014. However, none of the payment has transferred or deposited any bank account of MMPRC. Therefore, investigation revealed that state has not received acquisition cost from the awarded party.
2. According to the payment receipts of MMPRC totally, USD $400,000.00 was paid as the acquisition cost of AA.Mathiveri Finolhu though investigation has not found any evidence that those amount had deposited to any bank account of MMPRC. Two cheques was issued by the awarded party of AA. Mathiveri Finolhu on above mentioned dates, to pay the acquisition cost of AA. Mathiveri Finolhu. Correspondingly, it was found that those cheques were received personally by the former Managing Director of MMPRC on the above mention dates and the “Payee” was not written on it.
3. Acquisition cost of USD $400,000.00 which should be deposited to MMPRC bank account had been deposited to a bank account in the name of a cousin of the former Managing Director of MMPRC. Later on, that amount was withdrawn and deposited to a bank account of the seller of the Hulhumale lot number 10721 and payment for the acquisition of the property was settled.
4. Thereby, the investigation confirmed that total amount of USD $400,000.00 which should be received to MMPRC as acquisition cost of AA. Mathiveri Finolhu was used to buy the above mentioned property in Hulhumale in the name of a brother of the former Managing Director of MMPRC. Therefore, former managing director of MMPRC had abused the authority of his position to facilitate unlawful profit to a person who does not have any claim to it. Hence, ACC has concluded the case under section 25 (a) (2) of Law number 13/2008 (Anti-Corruption Commission Act), as there was offence of corruption in the case thus, warrants prosecution on the former managing director of MMPRC under Law number 9/2014 (Maldives Penal Code), section 513 (a) (1) and (2), and the case has been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office.
5. Additionally, based on the fact that the above mentioned property (Hulhumale lot number 10721) was bought by embezzled money of MMPRC, under Law number 2/2000 (Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act), section 24 (a), it was also claimed to seize the property and take it under ownership of the state.