Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has investigated a case alleging that lands from the industrial zone of L. Gan has been sold against rules, upon which the case was forwarded for prosecution against Senior Municipal Service Officer and first term Council President of L. Gan Council.
Upon investigation, it was found that false house registries from the industrial zone of L.Gan have been given to 12 parties. As per the documents found from L. Gan Atoll Council, those lands were given under the Selected Island Development Project of Ministry of Atolls in the year 1989 but was not officially registered. Moreover, previously mentioned 12 parties has not been given any house from the island at any time.
For selling false house land registries from the L. Gan industrial zone, Senior Municipal Service Officer and first term Council President has been suspected since they have been involved in checking 12 false registries and Council President for giving the permission. However, they both have denied for these allegations. Following that to check the legitimacy of their signatures a police document examination has been done from which is shows that Senior Municipal Service Officers signature in the attendance book matches to the person who checked those 12 registries. Additionally, Council President’s signature in the attendance book matches to the person who has authorized permissions.
According to the invoices from Maldives Airports Company Limited and Island Aviation Service airway bill, L. Gan Council Senior Municipal Service Officer has cargo several number of envelopes. It is suspected that 5 registries have been in those envelopes which he sent. Also, Senior Municipal Service Officer has sent several number of envelopes to individuals which has been delivered to those individuals and in return they have given money. And the bank statements show that money has been deposited to Senior Municipal Service Officer and Council President account by individuals.
Based on the evidence, it is clear that L. Gan Council President and Senior Municipal Service Officer had acted in a manner to gain undue advantage by abusing their power and has acted in a manner which provides undue advantage for third party as there was an offence of corruption in the case. Thus, the case has been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office to prosecute GA. Atholhu Thauleemee Marukazu, Administrator under Article 12 (a) of Law number: 2/2000 (Prevention & Prohibition of Corruption Act).