Corruption watchdog chief resigns amid impeachment process

The embattled chief of the Maldives corruption watchdog resigned on Wednesday amid the parliament’s initiation of an impeachment process against him.

Hassan Luthfee, the president of the Anti-Corruption Commission, came under fire after the commission told parliament’s committee on independent institutions that Luthfee had not turned up for work for over two months, while still cashing his pay cheques.

The president’s office confirmed to local media on Wednesday that Luthfee had submitted his resignation in writing.

According to commission members who testified at parliament, Luthfee took leave in April and has not reported to work since.

The committee on Tuesday unanimously voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against him for neglecting his duties. The report on the decision would have gone to the parliamentary floor, where ruling MDP parliamentarians were expected to vote against Luthfee.

According to local media, Luthufee has been out of the country since April. Luthfee is also under police investigation for money laundering. The police investigation was launched after the Maldives Monetary Authority’s financial intelligence unit, which oversees financial transactions under the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act, flagged suspicious transactions. Luthfee is accused of money laundering along with a group of others.

Luthfee is also accused, in a separate police investigation in to money laundering charges against former president Abdulla Yameen, of trying to cover up and defend Yameen.