The Attorney General’s Office has requested the Maldives Police Service to investigate allegations that Centre Enterprises submitted falsified invoices to the Civil Court, which led to a State loss of MVR 32 million.

In February, the Civil Court ruled that the Department of Medical Services must pay MVR 32 million to Centre Enterprises, based on invoices and delivery notes submitted by the company.

After the court ruling, the Attorney General’s Office asked the Auditor General’s Office to investigate, uncovering that Centre Enterprises had submitted invoices for medical equipment that was never brought into the Maldives.

Following the Auditor General’s findings, the Attorney General’s Office has requested the police to initiate a criminal investigation. 

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Centre Enterprises filed three separate cases against the State over services allegedly provided in 2006 and 2008, one involving equipment reportedly supplied to the Ministry of Environment, and two concerning medical equipment deliveries to the Department of Medical Services.

In February, the High Court ordered the State to pay USD 2 million in compensation for unpaid medical supplies. In April, the Civil Court awarded the company MVR 12.7 million for equipment reportedly supplied to the Ministry of Environment.

The Attorney General’s Office has confirmed that it will appeal the High Court’s decision to the Supreme Court and challenge the Civil Court’s MVR 12.7 million ruling at the High Court.

The audit of Centre Enterprises is ongoing, with investigations into the company’s claims and submitted documentation still underway.