[18 September 2008]

Since the ACB’s establishment several corruption cases had been sent for prosecution however some cases were not prosecuted during the tenure of the last two Attorney Generals. One such case involved a female staff who misappropriated huge sums of government money. However, of the cases sent for prosecution 73% resulted in successful convictions. Some cases were sent to the High Court and successfully prosecuted. For achieving a successful conviction rate ACB had undertaken several undertakings in the field of enhancing its investigative skills by participating investigation officers in various courses in Maldives and abroad. The ACB had also sought enriching its staff by providing a diverse and rich source of books on law and forensic science in its library. In addition to this ACB plans on having its lawyers attend court hearings in cases sent for prosecution by the Board.

ACB had never chartered any plane in its entire history and in order to minimize the expenses several cases from the same region or atoll is been taken for investigation on each trip.

In order to make it easy for public to file corruption complaints, ACB accepts complaints sent through letter, telephone, E-mail and through the ACB official website.

Complaints received by the Board are reviewed in a committee consisting of the Commissioner and the heads of sections. The complaint is pursued only with a majority vote. An investigation into a case is undertaken as per existing written guidelines. Thus to avoid investigation into petty cases and in order to investigate significant cases of corruption, the reviewing committee adheres to following guidelines:

1.    Prior to looking into the complaints on government staff working in islands, it has to be verified whether the concerned government office had looked into the matter and whether any steps had been taken.

2.    Complaints of non-corruption nature and of just administrative affairs of island offices, island health centers and island courts have to be handed over to the relevant ministries.

3.    As for complaints of misappropriation of meager amount of goods or tools that is left over after the completion of a certain works, it is sent to the relevant office to be investigated and report submitted to ACB.

4.    Where the value of the misappropriated funds or properties does not exceed MRF 10,000.00; such cases are to be sent to the relevant office and report submitted to ACB.

5.    Complaints about personal use of office tools are to be sent to the relevant office or to the alleged person’s office to be looked into.

6.    Where contracts or bids are awarded to a close party or any other person in contravention with any regulations, then such a matter is further examined by looking into the necessary documents and where the rules are not followed such matters are investigated by ACB.

7.    Complaints that a certain matter was not investigated appropriately or that an appropriate action is not been taken, then such a complaint has to be investigated by ACB.

8.    Press reports about government staffs involved in corruption in the award of contracts are to be considered and the matters are to be investigated by ACB.

Although it has been alleged that the ACB investigates only petty cases from the rural islands, 40 out of the 127 cases being investigated currently concerns government offices, government owned companies and government associated companies in Male’.

Hence the ACB regrets the prejudiced debates by a responsible authority of the Maldives, without acquiring true information of ACB.