Attorney General of Maldives Ibrahim Riffath has refuted allegations of illicit and corruption activities made against him. The attorney general made the remark following allegations that he benefited from a recently ended case in the Supreme Court ordering the state to pay a hefty sum to a local company.
In a tweet posted refuting the allegations, Attorney General Riffath said he neither asked for illicit enrichment nor benefited from corrupt deals in his career. Noting he left his private practice to serve for the people, the attorney general stated he always strived to execute his duties honourably. He further assured to protect public funds from corruption.
In a separate tweet, Attorney General Riffath urged everyone with credible information in respect of any attorney at the office alleged to have been involved in any illicit or corruption activity, to report the matter to relevant authorities.
An agreement made by Ministry of Economic Development with a local company in 2010 to provide ferry service in the northern province. Citing violation of the contract, the agreement made then was terminated by the administration of Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik in 2013. In 2014, when the company filed a case at Civil Court seeking compensation from the government for contract violation.
The civil court ruled out in favour of the company, ordering the state to pay USD 22.607 million as compensation. The state appealing the civil court verdict, claimed the company violated the agreement and failed to fulfil the obligations, resulting in the High Court overturning the Civil Court's verdict.
However, the Supreme Court said the state appealed to High Court after the specified deadline and maintained the ruling of the Civil Court.