Former Controller General of Immigration Shamman Waheed today alleged that President Mohamed Muizzu was complicit in corruption schemes by Home Minister Ali Ihusaan.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his sentencing hearing at the Criminal Court, Shamman said that Muizzu’s failure to take action after being informed of Ihusaan's alleged corruption constitutes an act of corruption in itself.
"Is the President’s failure to act not an act of corruption? When the President is directly aware that this is happening and does not stop it, that is corruption. Therefore, I believe the President is a participant in this," Shamman said.
Shamman claimed that work permit approvals for Bangladeshi nationals were being processed directly through Ihusaan, and that he had informed Muizzu after confirming that MVR 8,000 was being collected as a bribe for each permit.
"I informed the President in very clear terms. There will be chat logs of the conversations with the President. There will be audio as well. However, my phone is currently in police custody, where it has been since my arrest," Shamman added.
Shamman further alleged that he was framed by Ihusaan and Attorney General (AG) Mohamed Usham.
He also alleged that Ihusaan had "sold off" the nation’s gateway—the Border Control System—to preferred parties. Shamman added that when he attempted to block these moves and voiced his opposition, Muizzu contacted him directly on several occasions.
Shamman currently faces three charges related to allegations of abusing his official position to extort money from a foreign national. The charges include robbery, official misconduct, and money laundering.
"The last time [the President] called me regarding that matter, he lost his temper and threatened me, saying 'this situation will not change any other way,'" Shamman said.
Shamman was dismissed from his post as Immigration Controller on March 21, 2025 and arrested by police the following day. He was initially remanded for 15 days before a court ordered him to be held in custody pending the outcome of his trial on April 6. Shamman spent a total of 278 days in detention before being released on December 25 last year.
Several others were also arrested in connection with the case, including immigration officers and a civilian. Some of the individuals involved have since entered into plea agreements with the state.
