The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has resubmitted an appeal to the High Court challenging the Criminal Court’s dismissal of a corruption case against former Maldivian vice president and finance minister Abdulla Jihad.

The case involves allegations of abuse of power during his tenure as finance minister in a project to develop K. Fushidhiggarufalhu as a special tourism zone.

Jihad, who currently chairs the Maldives International Financial Services Authority (MIFSA), was charged in 2021 with using his influence to confer an undue advantage, depriving the state of significant financial benefits. The case stemmed from a joint venture agreement Jihad signed in 2013, which allegedly violated a cabinet decision regarding the government's stake in the project.

The Criminal Court dismissed the case on July 25, citing insufficient grounds to be tried under a civil standard of proof. The PGO first appealed the decision on August 11, arguing that the Criminal Court had failed to provide a constitutional basis or clear reasoning for its ruling. However, the appeal was rejected by the High Court on September 19 after it was unable to summon Jihad, who was abroad at the time.

After Jihad returned to Malé, the PGO was notified by the police and resubmitted the appeal to the High Court on Tuesday, according to a PGO spokesperson.