Didn't meet anyone regarding Noomadi case: CP Shujau

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau today denied allegations made by former Commissioner Hussain Waheed, who claimed that Shujau met with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during the time when the state was required to pay USD 55 million in compensation to Noomadi Resorts and Residence.

Former CP Hussain said that the then Housing Minister and incumbent President Dr Muizzu was the main mastermind behind the cancellation of the Noomadi agreement. His comments were made during last night's People's National Front (PNF) meeting, which is a political party founded by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom.

Hussain claimed that President Dr. Muizzu's first call at the time, regarding the 300 housing unit case involving Noomadi, was to him, and that Dr. Muizzu subsequently met with Shujau after that call. Hussain claims that he was present at the meeting as well.

However, Commissioner Shujau, in a press release, refuted these claims and said that he did not meet anyone regarding the Noomadi case in any capacity.

"I can assure you that I have not met anyone in any capacity along with former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed for any discussion regarding the Noomadi case," the Commissioner's statement reads.

The Noomadi case became problematic for President Dr. Muizzu, who was the Housing Minister at the time. In 2019, he faced charges of making a false statement in favor of Noomadi when the Maldivian government's decision to void its agreement with the company was taken to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. However, the Criminal Court of Maldives, on 18th May 2023, ruled that he was not convicted of the crime.

Judge Sofwath Habeeb, who heard the case at the Criminal Court said that the requirements of the offence were incomplete as there was question as to whether Muizzu had given a statement to the arbitration. AS such, the judge ruled that the charge was not proved in court beyond reasonable doubt.