Rilwan's family against Maaniu's reappointment to NIC

Missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan’s family is against the reappointment of Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed to the National Integrity Commission (NIC).

In a letter addressed to the chair of the parliament’s committee on independent institutions, Meedhoo constituency MP Rozaina Adam, Rilwan’s family noted their concerns over his possible reappointment to the commission.

While the government opened up applications for NIC membership this February, Maaniu is among those to have expressed interest. He is among the four applicants that received over 75% in the committee process.

In the letter addressed to MP Rozaina, Rilwan’s sister Fathimath Shehenaaz said that the family believes that the police had been negligent in Rilwan’s investigation while Maaniu was NIC president.

She also emphasized that Maaniu is connected to the family of Mohamed Suaid, whom the police previously revealed had followed Rilwan prior to his disappearance.

While this is a conflict of interest, Shehenaaz said that family does not believe that the investigation could be fair “if Maaniu is appointed” and asked the parliament committee to further evaluate the matter.

Furthermore, she said that Maaniu’s appointment to the National Integrity Commission could raise questions over its independence and integrity.

Appointed in October 2015, Maaniu had been the commission’s president prior to his dismissal in 2017.

While Rilwan’s family has expressed concern over his possible reappointment, Maaniu claims that he was removed from the commission for threatening to take legal action against the police for refusal to cooperate with NIC’s investigations.

Delivering justice in Rilwan’s disappearance, and other such cases, is a high priority for the current administration, with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih forming the Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances on his first day in office.

While the parliament passed to grant authority to the presidential commissions last week, President Solih ratified the bill on Monday.

NIC comprises of five members, and was established in 2015 to replace the oversight bodies for the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Customs Service, the Maldives Correctional Service and the Maldives Immigration.

The NIC oversees cases of “an unlawful act by an employee of a law enforcement agency, unjust or indiscriminatory acts by law enforcement and potentially criminal conduct of law enforcement agencies.” The commission can also advise law enforcement agencies and forward matters to the Prosecutor General’s Office.