Minister of Legal Affairs of President's Office Aishath Azima Shukoor has revealed that the existing debt of Villa Group is the result of an out of court settlement agreement with the government in 2013.
Adding that the government will take action on any individual or entity that owed money to the state, Minister for legal Affairs Azima Shukoor revealed that Villa Group owed the state USD 188 million. However, Chairman of Villa Group Qasim Ibrahim accused that the statements made by Azima Shukoor were fabricated as she was the lawyer for Villa Group during the settlement process.
In response to the claims of Qasim Ibrahim, in a statement issued, former Attorney General and the current Legal Affairs Minister said that even though she had represented Villa Group, she withdrew herself from the case upon her appointment as the Attorney General in 2013. Noting that the current situation is a result of establishing a settlement agreement outside of court, Minister Azima said the figures she mentioned earlier were made public by the relevant authorities.
In her statement, Azima urged Villa Group to settle the case with respect and goodwill.