Attorney General (AG) Ibrahim Riffath has requested Supreme Court of Maldives to review its decision to compensate Dheebaja Investments Private Limited.
AG Office revealed the request was submitted to the Supreme Court today. AG Riffath had previously said the case is being sent for review after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih noted there are several concerns from the public about compensating such a large amount to Dheebaja from state funds.
Meanwhile, Parliament of Maldives had also passed to advise the AG to request the Supreme Court to review the decision. The parliament passed the report and recommendation compiled by Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts with votes from 65 parliamentarians in December 2019.
The committee had summoned the settlement committee which decided to hand over a payout of USD 11.3 million to Dheebaja. Speaking at the committee, the attorney general said Dheebaja must be compensated, as the chances of the state winning the case in court are low. However, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer stated no payment has been made to Dheebaja yet.
The Government of Maldives came into an agreement with Dheebaja Investment in 2010 to establish ferry services in four atolls in the north of the country. However, the agreement was terminated in 2013 by the administration of then President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan, citing Dheebaja Investment was in violation of the agreement.