Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed the banks in Maldives refused to provide information during the investigation of the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). ACC made the remarks when its members were summoned to Parliamentary Committee of Finance for questioning, regarding the report released on the corruption scandal of MMPRC.
Vice President of ACC Muavviz Rasheed, members Aminath Minna and Yazmeed Mohamed attended the Committee. Speaking at the committee, Muavviz Rasheed said the biggest challenge was caused by the banks, as they refusing to provide the required information for the investigation. Noting members of ACC met with senior officials of the banks, Muavviz stated legal warnings were given to some banks when they refused to cooperate.
Muavviz expressed some banks refused to provide ACC with documents, adding such banks were identified. He further revealed the documents were searched from their godowns as well, while some banks said they do not have any information required by ACC. Moreover, Muavviz said since most transactions were conducted via hard cash, it was challenging to track them. He detailed the challenges faced legally during the investigation to the committee.
Meanwhile, member of the committee raised questions why the publishing of the report was delayed. Answering the question, Aminath Minna revealed the report published was not delayed but not published as their legal team did not advise them. Minna said it was believed if the report was published, the investigation of the authorities such as Maldives Police Service may be obstructed. When asked why the report was eventually published, she revealed the report was not made public with regard to the current presidency.
ACC said information for the report were obtained from 73 government offices.