ACC seeks corruption charges against former Regional Airports director Samy Ageel

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has asked for corruption charges against Samy Ageel, former director-general of Regional Airports, after he was found to have instructed the procurement of substandard buses.

ACC asked the Prosecutor General’s Office for charges against Samy over the case Wednesday.

According to ACC, the case against Samy stems from the violation of an agreement signed between Regional Airports and a private contractor in 2019, for the procurement of buses needed by the company.

ACC said its investigation uncovered that though the buses did not meet the standards declared on the contract, Samy had instructed the procurement of the buses, with complete disregard for the contract.

The commission has asked for Samy to be charged with misuse of official authority under Section 513 (b) of the Penal Code, and misuse of official authority to confer and undue advantage under Article 12 (a) of Anti-Corruption Act.

The contract in question had been awarded to Firepro Maldives to procure passenger buses for the Kulhudhuffushi Airport and the Hanimaadhoo Airport. However, it came to light in late 2020 that the company had supplied two used buses instead of new ones as contracted.