Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives (ACC) has passed not to review the case of alleged bribery attempts made on Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falaah.

The Parliamentarian, who is also the Deputy Leader of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group, alleged that he was offered a bribe of MVR 32 million to vote in favor of the no confidence motion on Parliament Speaker Abdullah Maseeh. When questioned about this, MP Falaah said he had filed the case with relevant authorities.

An official of ACC reported to RaajjeMV that they had been notified of the case, as the MP made the claim in front of media. He added they had begun to review the case on their own accord.

When questioned by the ACC over the claim, MP Falaah said he did not who had offered the bribe. As such, he said he did not file the case as sufficient information was not available.

Laws on curbing and halting corruption bars any elected from receiving, accepting or acquiescing on any form of compensation in return for any action that abuses that official’s position or official standing. Any individual convicted of such an offense can be jailed, banished or held in house arrest for a maximum period of seven years.

The law also mandates that any attempt on accepting or offering bribes must be reported to ACC, with details of the case. Any delays in filing the case, without justifiable cause, is also a criminal offense.

While laws mandate that MP Falaah must file the case with ACC, he had not filed the case.