MPL's former CEO Junaid faces corruption charges over overpriced AC contracts

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has asked for corruption charges against Mohamed Junaid, the former CEO of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), over an alleged overpriced contracts to procure air conditioning units for the company.

The ACC announced on Sunday that it decided to ask the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for charges against both Junaid and Abdul Wahab, the former head of procurement of MPL, on September 16.

The ACC asked for both Junaid and Wahab to be charged with abuse of official authority or influence to obtain or confer an undue advantage under Section 513(b) of the Penal Code, and with acting in a manner that precludes an advantage to the public or the state under Article 13 (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

ACC states that the case involves 18 ACs procured by the MPL between 2017 and 2018. According to ACC, its investigation uncovered the contracts were awarded to a company that lacks relevant expertise and have personal links with Junaid and Wahab without an open tender or approval from the company’s board – in violation of the procurement strategy and regulation for state-owned enterprises that was in effect at the time.

Investigators also found the ACs were purchased for MVR 1,083,988 – above the market rate at the time.