Malé City Council Mayor Adam Azim has announced that video footage shows Councilor Nahula Ali of the Villingili constituency tearing up agreements related to land plots leased by the Malé City Council, and confirmed that the matter has now been reported to the police.

Speaking during Wednesday’s council session, Mayor Azim stated that a video exists depicting Nahula tearing up a contract concerning land in Malé, and noted that the footage has been shared with all councilors.

Azim revealed that the contract destroyed by Nahula was one not included in the council’s recently publicized land registry.

Following his remarks, Nahula reportedly expressed her displeasure.

Azim reiterated during the session that, based on documentation available at the council, the video showing a councilor attempting to destroy contract documents not featured in the public land list has been forwarded to both the police and the Local Government Authority (LGA).

He stressed that this incident demonstrates that Malé City Council documents have been destroyed. Azim stated that tearing up an official document constitutes a criminal offense and emphasized that no council member has the authority to destroy any document belonging to the council.

He added that statements from council staff have been collected and will be shared with the police.

At the session, Nahula acknowledged tearing up a City Council document. In her defense, she said the document she tore was one signed last Thursday to transfer a Villingili land plot with an earlier date.

Responding to her claim, Malé City Council Secretary General Muhaimin clarified that although the document was dated June 1, the grace period for land agreements begins from the date the land is physically handed over, and maintained that there was no deception involved.

As debate intensified, the Malé City Council’s Wednesday session was brought to an early close.

Mayor Azim concluded the meeting by stating that, as the matter is under police investigation, further discussion could hinder the inquiry.

This case adds to a series of issues that have been surfacing, concerning alleged irregularities in land-related matters within the Malé City Council.

As the police proceed with their investigation, they are expected to examine how official council documents were destroyed and whether any councilors were implicated.

Several have accused former Malé City Mayor and current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of having leased numerous land plots in violation of established procedures during his tenure as mayor.