Police launches investigation into BML Deputy CEO

Maldives Police Service launched investigations into Bank of Maldives (BML)'s Deputy CEO Mohamed Shareef following a case submitted by the parliament alleging that he had made false statements in a session held by the parliament's Public Finance Committee.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the case was being probed although Shareef has yet to be summoned for questioning.

The parliament accused Shareef of providing false information while answering questions related to BML's negligence in the case where MVR 1.3 billion in state funds were embezzled through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed affirmed that later investigations proved that Shareef provided false information to the parliament committee.

Local media Mihaaru reported that Shareef's alleged deceptions to the committee were made over the issue of BML completing transactions of 'non-negotiable' cheques into SOF accounts.

The aforementioned cheques were signed over to SOF as the acquisition cost of islands leased for resort development by MMPRC.

'Non-negotiable' cheques can only be transferred to the account mentioned on the cheque. BML has maintained that no such cheques were transferred to SOF.

However, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) disclosed that they had acquired proof of BML completing transactions of 'non-negotiable' cheques.

In response to these allegations, BML released a statement claiming that Shareef answered questions asked by the Public Finance Committee based on the records available on the transactions.

BML maintained that Shareef did not provide the parliament with any false information.

According to the national bank, cheques or images of cheques of other banks transferred into BML accounts were not kept in the bank's records until the bank began cheque clearance in 2016 under Cheque Imaging and Transactions.

The bank further stated that the transaction of a cheque could only be completed through the bank that issued the cheque, assuring that these banks will also have records of the cheques.

BML revealed that the company has requested to acquire copies of cheques involved in the MMPRC case.