AGO Refers Centre Enterprises Case to Police Over Alleged Falsified Documents

The Office of the Auditor General (AGO) has referred a case involving Centre Enterprises Pvt Ltd to the Maldives Police Service for investigation, after audit findings suggested that the company had submitted falsified documents to the Civil Court in connection with payments for medical supplies provided to the Ministry of Health.

In a statement issued on Monday, the AGO said the decision follows its review of concerns raised over documents submitted by Centre Enterprises in a series of court cases filed against the government. Between 2021 and 2022, the company lodged four civil suits at the Civil Court seeking payments related to the supply of medical equipment and consumables.

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The AGO noted that questions had emerged about the authenticity of several documents presented by the company during these proceedings, as well as irregularities linked to some of its transactions. The matter was first brought to the AGO’s attention on 4 September 2022 and has since been under assessment.

According to the audit report titled “Audit of the Supply of Medical Equipment and Consumables to the Ministry of Health by Centre Enterprises Pvt Ltd in 2008”, the documents submitted to the courts contained inconsistencies, and the actions of those involved may amount to falsification intended to unlawfully obtain payments from the State.

The AGO stated that its internal review found sufficient grounds to suspect fraud and possible criminal intent in the company’s dealings with the Ministry of Health. As a result, the case has now been formally referred to the Maldives Police Service for investigation.

The Auditor General’s Office also confirmed that it has requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to review the audit findings and determine whether criminal proceedings should be initiated.

Neither Centre Enterprises nor the Ministry of Health have publicly commented on the referral at the time of reporting.