Probe into deputy minister's advocacy against state

The President's Office has revealed that Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Ibrahim Munawwar is being investigated for advocating in court against the state.

Munawwar's case against the state came up in a tax case filed by a private company called Tarmacs Construction against the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Tarmacs Construction is represented by Munawwar.

It was MIRA that filed the objection that Munawwar could not plead against the state.

The objection of the MIRA is that while MIRA is representing the state in a case filed against the state, it may be a conflict of interest for a senior government official to act against it.

Presidential Spokesperson Heena Waleed told Atoll Times on Sunday that cases where people in government positions are pleading against the state in court are being looked into.

Heena said it is prohibited for anyone in any position in the state, including those in political positions, to advocate against a state institution in court.

In the High Court case against MIRA, following the objection filed by MIRA at the hearing held on Thursday, it was adjourned without further proceedings.

The bench of judges announced that the case would be heard after deciding on the objection.

At the hearing, Munawwar said he did not believe that his position as a deputy minister was a reason why he could not advocate against the state in court as a lawyer. His justification is that he is not advocating in a case filed against the Ministry of Economic Affairs and he is not holding a position in MIRA, he said.

Munawwar said even MIRA could not point out the conflict of interest or the legal reason why he could not advocate against the state in the case.