The Parliament Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday approved a motion to request the Attorney General to initiate a criminal investigation into alleged legal violations by a settlement committee established under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The committee, formed on 28 November 2022, was tasked with resolving disputes over government-private agreements but was later dissolved following a recommendation from Attorney General Ahmed Usham of the current administration. Usham stated the committee had been operating without a proper legal framework.
The committee’s decision directs the Attorney General to investigate Solih, opposition leader and former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, and former President’s Office Minister Ali Shiyam. Other officials involved in compensation decisions made by the settlement committee will also be investigated, according to a committee member.
“Parliament will pass the decision and formally request the AG’s office to proceed. Once the AG reviews the matter, it will be referred to the Prosecutor General,” the committee member said.
The motion, tabled by MP Mohamed Mamdhooh and supported by MP Abdulla Shareef, passed with six votes in favour.
However, questions remain over how the three officials were selected for investigation, as neither Solih nor Fayyaz were members of the settlement committee.
No immediate comment was available from Solih, Fayyaz, or Ali Shiyam.