ACC changes its stance three times regarding charges against the entire Hoarafushi Council
ACC has requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to charge all members of the fourth session of the HA. Hoarafushi Island Council over the illegal leasing of land for fuel trade. All seven members facing charges belong to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Meanwhile, the ACC has come under heavy public criticism for its administrative handling of the case after the commission revised its official media statement three times within a short period.
Anti-Corruption Commission. | ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revised its media statement three times regarding an investigation into the allegedly illegal lease of land for commercial purposes in HA. Hoarafushi.
The case involves allegations that the Hoarafushi Island Council unlawfully leased a 5,000-square-foot plot of land to The Hawks Private Limited for fuel trade operations. On April 20, 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to press charges against all members of the council’s fourth term in connection with the matter.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has drawn significant public scrutiny after repeatedly amending a statement sent to its official media group regarding the matter. The commission initially released the statement at 2:55 p.m. today. However, that message was deleted shortly after, and a second version was issued at 3:04 p.m. Just three minutes later, at 3:07 p.m., the previous statement was deleted once again, and a third version was published.
Those recommended for prosecution in this case include the President of the fourth term of the Hoarafushi Council, Mohamed Waheed, and Vice President Ahmed Imdah. Additionally, council members Ibrahim Shakir, Ahmed Rauf, Maryam Wakeela, Aminath Visama, and Aminath Nasiha are also named. It is noted that all seven members belong to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Although the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has not officially disclosed why it revised its statement three times, the commission is facing widespread public criticism for such administrative lapses occurring in a matter of this significance.
