PG Asks ACC to Launch Criminal Probe into Millions in Settlements

Prosecutor General (PG) Abbas Shareef on Sunday asked the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct a criminal probe into the millions of dollars in settlements approved by the now defunct settlement committee during the previous Administration.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee in its report into the matter decided that the settlement agreements signed between 2019 and 2023 are void ab initio and approved all necessary legal action to invalidate the agreements.

The PG noted that the finance committee report had accused several high-level officials of the previous government of embezzling state property and funds in clear violation of their constitutional and legally mandated duties while holding a senior position of the State.

In light of the findings in the finance committee report, the PG believes that the accusations warrants a criminal investigation which falls within the mandate of the ACC, the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) said.

“Hence, the Prosecutor General on 17 December has asked the ACC to launch a criminal investigation,” PGO added.

In addition, the Prosecutor General has asked the ACC to expedite the investigation, provide regular updates and consult the PGO on the progress of the investigation.

The Parliament on 12 December approved the motion by its finance committee to advise the PGO to file charges against former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail and former Minister at the President’s Office Ali Shiyam if found complicit from the investigation into the settlement of disputes and disbursement of funds by the settlement committee.

Prior to the dissolution of the settlement committee, decisions were made to compensate various parties to the value of USD14.6 million before November 17, 2023. Moreover, the committee is estimated to have decided to grant USD64.8 million worth of assets and funds as compensation to various parties.

The Attorney General on Friday, invalidated as many as nine agreements signed by the settlement committee halting the implementation and disbursements with immediate effect.