Former Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) chief executive Mohamed Junaid and the company’s former procurement chief are set to face prosecution over allegations that air conditioning units were purchased at inflated prices in violation of procurement rules.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said it decided last Wednesday to forward the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office, following an investigation into the procurement of 18 air conditioning units by the state-owned company in 2016 and 2017.
According to the commission, the units were purchased for MVR 1,083,998, which investigators allege was significantly higher than their prevailing market value.
The ACC investigation found that the procurement was carried out without publicly announcing the opportunity and without obtaining a resolution or decision from MPL’s Board of Directors, despite procurement requirements applicable to state-owned enterprises at the time.
Investigators also raised concerns over the company selected to supply the equipment.
The ACC alleges that the contract was awarded to a business owned by an individual who had no relevant experience in the field and had personal connections with suspects involved in the case.
Following its investigation, the commission decided to seek charges against Junaid, who was serving as MPL’s CEO at the time, and then-Head of Procurement Abdul Wahhab.
The ACC has asked prosecutors to pursue charges related to the alleged misuse of official authority to provide an unlawful benefit and acting in a manner detrimental to the state’s financial interests.
