PG orders ACC to expedite gov't-favored investigations, ignoring case of personal information theft from DNR
PG Office has not yet taken any action or instructed any agency to investigate this major theft
PG Abbas Shareef at a press conference
Despite major concerns from the general public and political parties regarding the case of personal information theft within the Department of National Registration (DNR), the Prosecutor General has ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to expedite matters desired by the government.
Stating that complaints about the slow progress of criminal investigations conducted by the ACC have come to the Prosecutor General's attention, PG Abbas Shareef has ordered ACC to prioritize cases that “highly involve” the interests of the Maldivian state and the general public. This includes investigations into corruption and embezzlement cases where state funds are lost and public interests are compromised.
As such, under the powers vested in the Prosecutor General by Article 223 (f) and (q) of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, the Prosecutor General has ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to follow a new directive in submitting all ongoing criminal cases to the Prosecutor General's Office, effective from Sunday.
In the Prosecutor General's order, it is specifically instructed to conduct and expedite investigations with special attention to major embezzlement cases related to state finances and public interests. These include the major Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption case, the case of misuse of state property and funds related to the global Covid-19 pandemic, cases involving state-owned companies, and cases related to the Binveriyaa and Gedhoruveriyaa schemes. These cases are to be submitted to the PG's office as per the directive given.
However, the PG Office is yet to instruct any agency to investigate the recent case of personal information at DNR being compromised, allegedly led by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, to increase the membership count of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
Article 223 (f) of the Constitution of the Maldives (Responsibilities and Powers of the Prosecutor General) states that if a complaint is filed about a suspected criminal act committed by any party, or if such information is received through other means, the Prosecutor General may issue an order to investigate the matter if deemed appropriate.
However, the PG Office has not yet taken any action or instructed any agency to investigate this major theft.
Political leaders of the DNR office have admitted to filling forms at the office to recruit members of the general public for PNC. Political parties and the public continue to call for an investigation into this matter.
