Charges pressed against Saeed in iceplant corruption

Fenaka's former Managing Director Ahmed Saeed Mohamed has been charged in the case where corruption is alleged in Fenaka's purchase of the iceplant built in L. Maamendhoo by Kaizan Investment.

Anti Corruption Commission concluded their investigation into this case and forwarded the case for prosecution in April. ACC calls for charges to be pressed against Saeed and then Fenaka Chief Accountant Mohamed Masood.

Prosecutor General's Office said that Saeed is being charged with abuse of an official position.

According to the PG Office, while serving as Fenaka's MD on April 30, 2023, Saeed signed an agreement with the Fisheries Ministry to construct an ice plant in Maamendhoo. Instead, Fenaka purchased an existing facility on the island for MVR 11.3 million.

This was done without consultation with the Tender Evaluation Committee, while Fenaka's business plan also states that the ice plant was not a financially viable project.

PG Office said that in a general meeting of Fenaka's Board of Directors on September 7, 2023, Saeed had discussed the matter and reached the decision to purchase the ice plant.

The PG Office stated that it was not made clear during the meeting that Fenaka intended to construct an ice plant internally on the island. On the same day, an agreement was also signed with Kaizan Investment. With the signing of the agreement, Fenaka had to pay MVR 11.3 million to Kaizan Investment.

Hence, charges were pressed against Saeed on May 20. If convicted, the charge carries a prison sentence of 1 year, 7 months and 6 days, the PG Office said.

Another charge of misuse of official position has also been pressed against Saeed and then Fenaka Procurement Head Mariyam Dheena. This too carries a prison sentence of 1 year, 7 months and 6 days.

This charge is in relation to a 2019 agreement between Fenaka and Blazon Inc. where payment for a project was disbursed to Blazon Inc before work was completed.