PG: I recused myself from any cases with conflict of interest

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has said that he had recused himself from any cases where there may be a possible conflict of interest and that decisions in such cases are taken by other senior officials of the PG Office. 

The comment by the PG comes after a complaint regarding the Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem involving conflict of interest in the MMPRC scandal was submitted to the Maldives Bar Council.

The complaint, confirmed by Bar Council, involves violations of ethics by the PG and the representation of the state by the PG while having a conflict of interest.

The complaint regarding Shameem is that before being appointed as the PG, he had represented Abdulla Ziyath, the former Managing Director of MMPRC, who was convicted regarding charges related to the MMPRC scandal.

Shameem had also represented Mohamed Hussain, from G. Oevaali who was also accused in the scandal.

In addition to the above two, Shameem most notably served as the attorney for Ahmed Adeeb, the former Vice President who is thought to be one of the main figures involved in the scandal. Shameem represented Adeeb in a separate case where Adeeb was accused of involvement in the presidential speedboat explosion in 2015.

Speaking with Sun, Shameem said that he had been involved in the cases mentioned in the complaint. Information of the cases and parties involved in cases where he had been involved was provided to the Deputy Prosecutor General Mahmood Saleem, after Shameem came to the post of PG, said Shameem. 

He said that he was not involved in any of the cases.

“I disclosed prior cases to Deputy PG Saleem, after taking the post. I provided Saleem with a list. Not just Ziyath or Mohamed Hussain, I have been involved in a number of other cases. I would have taken many cases when I was working privately.” Said Shameem.

Discussions and decisions involving Ziyath and Mohamed Hussain are undertaken by the DPG Saleem.

“Any matter related to Ziyath would be decided by the Deputy PG. I am also not involved in the case of Oittey (Mohamed Hussain). Said Shameem.

The complaint submitted to the Bar Council read that it was a conflict of interest that Shameem was serving as the chief prosecutor for the state despite his former links. 

The complaint also read that Shameem may seek to use information obtained from his former clients and gain an unfair advantage.

Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Shameem tried to cover up the actual amount of payments he received while representing the figures involved in the MMPRC scandal.

It was contrary to the ethics of attorneys for a party to have worked directly for an opposing party and later on represent the state. Shameem’s conduct would create mistrust among the public, read the complaint.

The complaint requested the Bar Council to investigate the conduct of Shameem, citing the Legal Profession Bill.