Yameen raises concerns over delay in Shujau graft probe
The report highlights transactions conducted over the past two years that allegedly benefited companies owned by Shujau.
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Former President Abdulla Yameen has raised questions regarding the delay in the investigation of financial transactions allegedly linked to Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau.
At a rally organised by the People’s National Front (PNF) on Sunday, Yameen criticised the lack of progress in a case which, according to him, has been with the Maldives Police Service for over a year. He referred to a report, purportedly compiled by the Maldives Monetary Authority’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), that was circulated on social media over the weekend.
The report highlights transactions conducted over the past two years that allegedly benefited companies owned by Shujau. According to Yameen, the report has also been submitted by the FIU to the police for further investigation.
Yameen expressed concern that the case involved elements of money laundering and should have prompted a high-priority investigation.
“This case has been reported to the police for a year. Nothing has been done. In fact, the reason the FIU should issue a red alert is because it involves money laundering,” Yameen said.
He further noted that if a person receives large sums of money inconsistent with their known income, the appropriate course of action would be to conduct a formal inquiry.
“The MMA is coming with a bank statement. Just one question. If someone has a large income that does not match their income, they should clarify what happened,” he said.
Yameen made the following claims during his address:
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That MP Shujau has been consistently awarded government projects across multiple administrations, often without a public tendering process;
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That money laundering activity may have occurred with the involvement of State Infrastructure and Water Environment Company (SIWEC);
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That the credibility of the allegations was reinforced by the subsequent removal of the head of the FIU following the MMA’s internal report;
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That there had been an attempt to dismiss the report as false, but the MMA had not made such a claim.
Yameen also alleged that the police’s statement confirming that an investigation is underway was made only after the contents of the FIU report were made public.
“When the report is leaked and the case becomes public, the police say they are investigating the Shujau case. But the investigation gets buried at that point. If it is not completed, no action will be taken against him,” Yameen said.
The report reportedly identifies transactions involving Shujau, Deputy Minister of Fisheries Mohamed Nafiz (a relative of Shujau), and Ahmed Adham, a board member of Public Service Media (PSM) and shareholder of an events management firm. The report notes financial activity between these individuals and five companies.
MP Shujau, however, has questioned the authenticity of the report.
According to the report:
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The Ministry of Finance transferred MVR 23 million to SIWEC on 13 November 2023, intended for expenses related to President Mohamed Muizzu’s swearing-in ceremony.
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SIWEC deposited MVR 13 million to Official Events.
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SIWEC also transferred MVR 4.2 million to DQ Holdings and MVR 2.3 million to Quick Sure.
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From the funds received by Official Events, MVR 8 million was spent to purchase two apartments at Rainbow Residences as a commitment fee for its shareholders. The total value of each apartment is MVR 20 million.
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Additional payments were also received by Male’ City Council, Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL), and State Trading Organisation (STO) in relation to Official Events.
