ACC takes statement from former President regarding audit report

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken a statement from the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom following the accusations made against him in the 2009 Audit Report of the former Presidential Residence, Theemuge.

The statement was taken by a team from the ACC that visited the former President's office today.

Former Auditor General Ibrahim Naeem wrote in the audit report released in 2009 that Maumoon practiced corruption during his terms in office and misused State funds using the power of his position. Naeem wrote that Maumoon had broken the trust of the people and needed to be brought to trial.

Naeem wrote that Maumoon misused State funds for personal gain or profit of others, and that State needed to be returned the money he misused on himself, his family, relatives and friends.

The audit report, released by Naeem on April 16, 2009 was regarding the expenditure on Theemuge from the State budget during years 2007 and 2008.

While the ACC has visited the former President for a statement, in a letter sent to ACC's Hassan Luthufee, Maumoon said that instead of ACC officials coming to him for questioning, he wants to go the ACC by himself to answer the questions.