Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem, along with Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof and former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed will be appearing in Criminal Court as defense witnesses in the MMPRC corruption case against former MP Ahmed Nihan.

This marks the first time Criminal Court has admitted a PG as a defense witness.

During the hearing on Thursday, Nihan's defense team submitted PG Shameem's name as a defense witness citing a tweet from PG Shameem when he was representing former Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb.

Although this was objected to by the state, Criminal Court accepted the submission, stating that the state had not produced a solid enough reason for objection.

Nihan's team submitted Minister Mahloof's name as a defense witness on the grounds that he can vouch for Nihan's etiquette at the PPM Parliamentary group decision. Ali Waheed's name was submitted as a defense witness to prove the inconsistencies in Adeeb's mobile forensic reports.

Criminal Court also accepted the names of some former and current MP's belonging to PPM as Nihan's defense witnesses. The witnesses include PNC's President Abdul Raheem Abdullah, Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, Guraidhoo MP Ibrahim Riza, former Kelaa MP Ali Arif, former Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau, Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, and Maafannu Dhekunu MP Abdulla Rifau.

PG Office had formerly stated that investigations have revealed that Nihan took bribes from Adeeb while serving as the Parliament's Finance Committee's chairperson. As such, PG Office stated that Nihan had accepted a cheque of USD 150,000 through SOF Pvt Ltd which was later used to buy a flat from Platinum Residence.

PG Office further stated in court that Nihan had asked for and accepted bribes from Adeeb on multiple occasions while he served as an MP.