Home Office: Investigation is into corruption by Umar

Home Ministry has said that the investigative team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) entered the Home Ministry as part of their investigation into the corruption of Umar Naseer when he held office.

Speaking at an emergency press conference today, Home Minister, Ahmed Azleen said that the ACC is investigating corruption in the Ministry in 2015 in relation to the “Minivan 50”, the 50th Independence Day of the Maldives.

When Umar Naseer was in office, he had allegedly bypassed the ministry’s procurement and financial responsibility work and awards work to whomever the Minister wanted.

Minister Azleen said that work involving large amounts of money were given in violation of the financial law and had awarded work without getting a return.

Azleen said that projects of the Minivan 50 without contracts have also surfaced and when Umar was in office, he had repeatedly given work to a specific group according to records.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom created a committee with five cabinet ministers to run the Independence Day festivities in 2015.

The special committee consisted of then Home Minister, Umar Naseer, former Defence Minister, Moosa Ali Jaleel, former Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon, former Youth Minister, Ahmed Zuhoor and the Minister at the President’s Office, Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundu).

Home Minister Azleen said if something happens within the ministry, the Minister has to take responsibility.

He said that the corruption inside the Minivan 50 is being investigated by the Auditor General’s Office as well. Minister Azleen said the ACC and the Auditor General would complete the investigation and publish a report soon.