No evidence Champa Brothers received MMPRC funds, ACC rules

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) ruled on Sunday that there is no evidence that Champa Brothers received any money siphoned off from the state in the MMPRC corruption scandal.

The ACC on Sunday announced its decision on the alleged receipt of fraud money by Champa Brothers, one of the biggest companies in the country.

It was alleged that Champa brothers received funds siphoned off from the state as part of the MMPRC corruption scandal, which took place between February 2014 and October 2015.

The ACC ruling states:

“In the absence of evidence, we have determined that this case does not involve any corruption offence,” the letter signed by ACC member Shiyama Mohammed said.

It is a presidential promise of this government to recover the money lost to the state in the MMPRC scandal and bring those responsible to justice. However, as the government's five-year term comes to an end, the state has not retrieved a single penny. Only former President Abdulla Yameen has been sentenced in the case.

The issue was first investigated by the Asset Recovery Commission, which was set up by the government. According to the commission, about 280 people have received fraud money. They include, MPs, judicial officials and some of the then independent institution members. 

The commission did not produce much results, and after the commission was dissolved, the case is now being investigated by the ACC.