Questioning of Ex-DM Adam Shareef postponed after committee caught ‘unprepared’

Former Minister of Defense Adam Shareef Umar, who was summoned by the Ethics Committee of Parliament last Sunday night for questioning regarding the use of military officers to bar parliamentarians from entrance into the Parliament headquarters was turned away due to lack of preparedness of the committee.

Inquiry into the 2017 case when parliamentarians were barred from entering the Parliament was submitted to the Ethics Committee by North Mafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy.

The committee has decided to summon heads of defense at the time for questioning regarding the case.

Former Minister of Defense, Adam Shareef Umar reports that he attended the Parliament for questioning last Sunday night, but that the meeting was cancelled due to lack of preparedness of the committee.

“When I went to the Parliament tonight, the admin told me the Ethics Committee has decided not to meet me tonight. When I asked why, they said the committee wasn’t sufficiently prepared and hasn’t gathered all the documents it needs,” said Adam Shareef.

Adam Shareef has asked that the committee complete its inquiry before the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Media has been barred from Ethics Committee meetings as it investigates the case.

MP Imthiyaz submitted the incidents of July 24, 2017 for inquiry by the Ethics Committee citing it as a violation of the rights and privileges of the entire Parliament.

Parliament was brought to a standstill in 2017 when a no-confidence petition was filed against former Speaker, South Fuvahmulah MP Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed by the opposition at the time. The former government coalition lost its super majority and 12 parliamentarians who defected to the opposition were disqualified from their parliamentary seats. And opposition parliamentarians were barred from entering the Parliament by military officers.