ACC ordered to reopen probe into case involving ex-Chief of Defense Force
19 އޯގަސްޓު 2020 | ބުދަ 18:01Shiyam is accused of using a VIP facility established in Villimalé for the matters involving MNDF for personal purposes
former Chief of Defense Force Ahmed Shiyam
The Prosecutor General has ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to relaunch investigations into the case involving former Chief of Defense Force Ahmed Shiyam.
Shiyam is accused of using a VIP facility established in Villimalé for the matters involving the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), for personal purposes. As such, Shiyam had accommodated his sickly father at the VIP facility for over a year and six months where he was served by MNDF officers.
The commission had initially closed the case in Shiyam’s favor after finding no wrongdoing.
The initial report compiled by the commission reads that Shiyam’s father’s accommodation was arranged upon the Major General’s orders and that documents and other information attained by ACC point to the fact that such arrangements may be made under the orders from the Chief of Defense Force, Vice Chief of Defense Force and the Coastguard Commander.
ACC ruled that there was no wrong doing in the case.
However, a private individual on Tuesday lodged a case against members of the commission, at the Maldives Police Service (MPS), accusing them of misusing their official authority to reach the decision.
The letter addressed to police notes that Shiyam would not have had the opportunity to use the facility for his personal benefit, if he wasn’t serving as Chief of Defense Force and that the VIP facility was used at a time the authority had not even formed a policy to use the facility.
In this regard, the letter noted that ACC having closed the case in Shiyam’s favor, after finding no wrongdoing, is an act of using influence to grant undue benefits for Shiyam.
According to the anti-corruption laws of the Maldives, it is illegal to use state property for personal purposes or benefits.
This, the letter noted is an offence under Article 513 (b) of the Penal Code, which states that a person commits the offense of misusing official authority if they use or influence official authority in their capacity as a public official and for the purpose of obtaining a benefit for themselves or another person to which they are not entitled.
