I will go to ACC, media must be there too: President Maumoon

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom says he will go to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to give his statement over the audit reports of 2007 and 2008 for Theemuge, the former Presidential Residence.

The tweets were in response to the statements made by ACC, which said they will visit the former President to take his statement.

In his tweets, President Maumoon said media should be there when he arrives to give his statement as he had nothing to hide. He also said ‘people have a right to know’.

In the next tweet, Maumoon said he had ‘done nothing that would come under the purview of ACC’, adding he had nothing to hide.

The Commission had launched investigation into the case 10 years later. His son, MP Faris Maumoon had also been investigated on the same matter. He had been summoned to ACC and Police; the case had been sent to PG for prosecution. However, PG Office decreed the statute of limitations on the case had expired and therefore, he cannot be prosecuted on this case.

Clause 61 of the Penal Code states that the Statute of limitations on criminal cases is an eight-year period, with three years for misdemeanors.

The Commission’s investigation came after the former President had revoked his support of the administration of his half-brother and President Abdullah Yameen. He, MP Faris and daughter Yumna Maumoon had taken an active role in the opposition movement against President Yameen.

ACC President Hassan Luthufee says President Maumoon will not be summoned to the Commission, but rather the Commission will visit him at a time of his convenience.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Mohamed Anil announced the state will proceed ahead with amounts that are to be recovered to state, including the amounts released by President’s Office during the Maumoon administration.