A constitutional challenge seeking to nullify a government agreement to grant 500 hectares of land from Rasmale' to the UAE’s Eagle Hills for 99 years has been appealed to the Supreme Court bench, following an initial rejection by the court’s registrar.
The case was filed by legal expert and former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain. However, the Supreme Court Registrar dismissed the petition, ruling that it was not a matter that could be heard directly by the Supreme Court as a court of first instance.
Following the registrar’s decision, Ali Hussain announced on X yesterday that he has now moved the Supreme Court bench to review and overturn the registrar’s ruling.
In his lawsuit, Ali Hussain contends that the agreement between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Eagle Hills—which grants 500 hectares of land for 99 years without any lease acquisition cost or rent—violates Article 250(a) of the Constitution.
Furthermore, he argues that provisions allowing third parties to purchase or inherit property on the land for an additional 99 years conflict with Article 251(a) and (b) of the Constitution. Based on these grounds, he is seeking a total nullification of the agreement.
The petitioner has also requested a temporary injunction to stay the implementation of the agreement until a final verdict is reached.
The government is currently working to sign the definitive agreement with Eagle Hills next month. This follows a commercial terms agreement, under which the Maldivian government committed to signing the main contract within 60 days.
However, prior to the signing, the government must implement several legislative changes, including the passage of a Real Estate Act tailored for the requirements of this project.
