FIU chief sacked over sexual harassment

Ismail Sajid, the head of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), who was on suspension over sexual harassment allegations, has been dismissed less than six months after being appointed to the role. 

Sajid, who was appointed to the post in late August, was suspended from his post in the last week of December over sexual harassment allegations.

Sun has learned that MMA’s Sexual Harassment Committee, which investigated the allegations against Sajid, found him liable for sexual harassment and thereby, recommended his dismissal as a punishment.

The decision was informed to MMA’s management on Thursday which immediately enforced the recommendation, dismissing Sajid from his post.

While the FIU performs vital work, the MMA, after failing to voluntarily announce the suspension of the Unit’s chief, had not responded to Sun’s calls seeking a comment regarding the allegations against Sajid and his suspension when the news had first come to light.

Sajid has also refused to comment regarding the allegations at the moment.

Sajid was appointed to the position in late August, shortly after a confidential FIU report examining transactions linked to PNC parliamentary group’s senior deputy leader Ibrahim Shujau (Shuja) was leaked on social media which outlined substantial deposits allegedly made to Shujau through the Army Welfare Cooperative (CIVEC).

Following Sajid’s appointment, long-serving FIU chief Abdulla Ashraf was reassigned as Head of Risk and Compliance. Ashraf, a lawyer with significant financial intelligence experience, had been removed from his FIU leadership role the same weekend the report was leaked.

Prior to joining the FIU, Sajid has been serving as a member of the Tax Appeal Tribunal. 

The FIU serves as the country’s central agency for collecting, analyzing, and sharing information related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and proceeds of crime. Its primary role is to receive financial transaction reports from reporting institutions, examine them, and, when necessary, provide actionable financial intelligence to law enforcement and regulatory authorities.