ACC urges parliament to investigate Yameen's failure to disclose financial statements

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has instructed the parliament to investigate sitting President Abdulla Yameen’s failure to disclose his financial statements.

Article 120 of the Constitution states that 'every year, the President shall submit to the Auditor General a statement of all property and monies owned by him, business interests and all assets and liabilities'.

ACC’s appeal comes after probing a case submitted to them, stating that the president is using his influence within the state to withhold his financial records.

While the Auditor General’s has been subject to criticism over the matter, ACC said that there is no law that allows them to take action over the matter.

Hence, it asked the parliament’s public finance committee to assess the matter.

Back in July, Yameen’s spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali refused to reveal the last time he had done so, saying that the President has not submitted annual financial statements 'are a fabrication' and that the statements have been submitted and accepted by the Auditor General.

He also alleged the Auditor General 'had recently shared changes on how to submit the financial record with the President', adding that it will be submitted accordingly 'soon'.

President Yameen has faced multiple corruption allegations since assuming office in 2013, and his former vice president and right-hand man, Ahmed Adeeb- who is currently on trial for the biggest corruption scandal in the country's history- recently accused the President of handling and counting the millions of dollars that were embezzled through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).