A case against Bank of Maldives (BML)’s Deputy Chief Executive Office Mohamed Shareef is to be forwarded to police for investigation, for providing false information at parliament.

Parliament’s Secretary General Fathimath Niusha revealed this at a press conference on Sunday, and highlighted that the BML CEO had provided false information after being presented to the public finance committee on July 16.

Noting that the committee chair had informed the matter to Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, Niusha said that they have decided to forward the issue to relevant institutions for prosecution as well.

As per Article 99 of the Constitution, “the People’s Majlis or any of its committees has the power to (a) summon any person to appear before it to give evidence under oath, or to produce documents. Any person who is questioned by the People’s Majlis as provided under this Article shall answer to the best of his knowledge and ability; (b) require any person or institution to report it; (c) receive petitions, representations or submissions from interested persons or institutions.”

Last week, Speaker Nasheed had announced that they will pursue criminal investigations against those that are found to have provided false information to parliament.

BML officials were summoned to the public finances committee regarding the over MVR 1.4 billion stolen from the state coffers through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and a private company called SoF during the previous administration.

The bank denies any negligence in the case, and blamed the Maldives Monetary Authority and its Financial Intelligence Unit.