Defence Criticises Police for Excluding ACC in Shamman Corruption Investigation

The defence lawyer of former Controller of Immigration Mohamed Shamman Waheed argued that his client’s arrest was procedurally flawed, claiming that police had failed to involve the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the investigation into alleged corruption.

Shamman was dismissed from his post and arrested on 22 March on charges related to bribery. He was initially remanded in custody for 15 days and remains detained following an order by the Criminal Court to keep him in custody until trial.

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His lawyer, Noorul Salam, has appealed both arrest warrants at the High Court, asserting that the orders were issued unlawfully. The High Court scheduled both appeals to be heard together, but only the first remand order was reviewed during Monday’s hearing.

During the hearing, the defence highlighted the absence of the ACC in the investigation. The defence maintained that in cases involving corruption and money laundering, it is standard procedure for investigations to be conducted jointly by the police and the ACC, which holds legal authority to investigate offences such as abuse of official position.

In response, Ahmed Naufal from the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) stated that money laundering investigations fall within the jurisdiction of the police. He noted that when corruption allegations are involved, the police may seek court approval to pursue related offences, while any information pertaining to corruption must still be shared with the ACC, which may then choose to initiate a separate investigation.

Four other immigration officers have also been arrested in connection with the same case. Authorities allege that the group misused their positions to raid a residence occupied by foreigners, detaining several individuals. During this operation, MVR 530,000 was reportedly seized alongside the detainees.

According to police, one foreign national was released the following night, allegedly on Shamman’s instruction, and left the premises with cash. It is further alleged that the same individual was later met by immigration staff on the street, who delivered the money to Shamman’s residence.

Police also reported recovering a substantial amount of cash and several electronic devices from Shamman’s home during a later search.