Shamman accuses Ihsan of quota corruption claims

Former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamman Waheed on Thursday accused Home Minister Ali Ihsan of benefiting unlawfully from quotas and work permits issued to foreign workers.

Speaking to reporters before entering the Hulhumalé Division of the Criminal Court, Shamman alleged that Minister Ihsan and Attorney General Ahmed Usham were involved in corruption linked to the transfer of the Maldives' border control system. He further claimed that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had been informed of the matter but had not taken action.

The government has denied Shamman's allegations against the President.

The remarks were made shortly before the Criminal Court sentenced Shamaan to 25 years in prison after finding him guilty of robbery, abuse of official position and money laundering.

According to Shamman, he informed President Muizzu in January last year that Minister Ihsan was benefiting unlawfully from the approval of quotas and work permits for foreign workers.

He alleged that MVR 8,000 was charged for each quota issued and that US$1,800 was charged for each approved worker from Bangladesh.

“The President was in Estonia at the time. While he was there, he told me that allegations had been made that I was acting personally against Minister Ihsan and that the Minister had not done anything unlawful,” Shamaan said.

“He said nothing would happen. I am certain that no action will be taken. This is not about loyalty.”

Shamman argued that the President’s failure to act against the alleged practices amounted to corruption. He also said he believed the President was involved in allowing the alleged activities to continue.

He further alleged that he had been “framed” by Minister Ihsan and Attorney General Usham, claiming that his efforts to address corruption had contributed to the case against him.

In posts published on X on Thursday, Shamman repeated his allegations against Minister Ihsan, President Muizzu and Attorney General Usham. He claimed that the Maldives’ border control system had been handed over to individuals linked to Minister Ihsan.

He described the matter as a crime allegedly led by Minister Ihsan and Attorney General Usham and claimed that evidence remained in police possession and was stored on his mobile phone.

“For trying to stop this and for opposing it, I was contacted directly by President Muizzu on several occasions. During the last conversation on the matter, he became angry and threatened me, saying, ‘this will not change any more’,” Shamman wrote on X.

Shamman was arrested in March last year on allegations that he had used his position to obtain benefits from foreign nationals. He was released in December after spending nine months in custody.

He has maintained that the investigation was politically and personally motivated. Shamman also alleged on Thursday that Minister Ihsan had ordered the release of a foreign national accused of stealing money.