Mustafa

Former Member of Parliament for Thimarafushi Constituency, and prominent leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been acquitted of a criminal charge against him, at a concluding hearing held today at the Criminal Court.

Mustafa was prosecuted for the offence under Section 39 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Four Habib Bank cheques he had issued to Abdullah Jaleel, H. Happy House were dishonored according to the case of the prosecution.

The Judge said that Mustafa had pleaded not guilty, and that the prosecution’s case was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The Judge referred to Section 39 of the Act, in concluding that the conditions stipulated in that statutory provision were not all present in the scenario in question.

The Judge also decided that none of the witnesses presented by the prosecution could be counted, as there were contradictions in the documentary evidence submitted by the prosecution to advance its case.

The Judge also stated that if Jaleel had any outstanding money from Mustafa, he was free to file a civil case to that effect.

As the judge read out his verdict, Mustafa thanked him, saying “thank you, Your Honor!”

Speaking to the press after the hearing, outside the Court Building, Mustafa said that he “now believe that justice is being upheld in this country”.