ACC: Vaquf Fund did not transfer USD 12,000 to Sadhagaath Foundation

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has concluded its investigation into the allegation Ministry of Islamic Affairs requested Ministry of Finance to transfer USD 12,000 from Vaquf Fund to Sadhagaath Foundation – which belongs to First Lady, Fathimath Ibrahim, ruling that there was no corruption involved in the case.

The USD 12,000 in question is part of the USD 24,000 donated by a private charity in Abu Dhabi to the Vaquf Fund on Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

In its report, ACC said that paperwork showed the Abu Dhabi charity donated USD 24,980 the public bank account of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) in Federal Reserve Bank of New York for an iftar program during the month of Ramadan, 1437.

The money was for iftar programs and religious programs by Ministry of Islamic Affairs and to run Vaquf Fund’s programs during Ramadan.

According to policy, Vaquf Fund Committee needs to discuss and decide the amount of money the foundation will be releasing for each project.

ACC’s investigation shows Vaquf Fund Committee decided on its 12th meeting to issue USD 12,000 from the money donated by the Abu Dhabi charity to the Sadhagaath Foundation.

It also shows that Ministry of Islamic Affairs sent a letter to Ministry of Finance requesting the USD 12,000 be issued to Sadhagaath Foundation.

However, Ministry of Islamic Affairs had cancelled the letter of request, and Ministry of Finance had not made the transfer to Sadhagaath Foundation.

ACC ruled that no act of corruption had occurred in the case.