ACC Seeks Charges Against Two Former MPL Officials

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is seeking criminal charges against former Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) CEO Mohamed Junaid and former Head of Procurement Abdul Wahhab over the procurement of 18 air-conditioning units worth MVR1.08 million.

The units were purchased in 2016 and 2017 at a total cost of MVR1.08 million.

The ACC alleges the units were procured at prices significantly above prevailing market rates.

According to the Commission, the procurement breached state-owned enterprise procurement regulations in force at the time.

The purchases were made without a public tender or approval from MPL’s Board of Directors, the ACC said.

The contract was also awarded to a private sole proprietorship that allegedly lacked the required technical experience.

The ACC further alleged that the business had personal connections to the officials named in the case.

The charges sought relate to alleged abuse of official capacity to obtain an undue advantage and acting in a manner detrimental to the state.

The case was submitted to the Prosecutor General’s Office on September 16 for consideration of criminal charges.