Links MK/Grant Thornton of Sattar Hajee Abdoula: The Circumstances of the Contract Award Under the FCC's Scrutiny

The Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) is investigating Grant Thornton Mauritius and its CEO, Sattar Hajee Abdoula, following a payment of Rs 3.6 million from Air Mauritius Ltd in March 2020. The aim is to verify the existence of favoritism, conflicts of interest, and financial offenses related to this Advisory Services contract.

How did Grant Thornton secure an Advisory Services contract with Air Mauritius (MK) and receive payment in March 2020, just a month before Sattar Hajee Abdoula was appointed as administrator for MK's recovery?

In addition to the investigation surrounding the alleged Rs 3.6 million payment from Air Mauritius to Grant Thornton Mauritius, the FCC has launched a second inquiry to determine whether the firm, which specializes in auditing, taxation, and transaction advisory services, received favoritism, or if any conflicts of interest occurred.

Investigators are focused on determining the circumstances under which Grant Thornton obtained this contract, particularly whether a formal bidding process was followed.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced last May in the National Assembly the initiation of an investigation into the ramifications involving Sattar Hajee Abdoula and his firm, concerning alleged cases of conflicts of interest and malpractice.

This individual, closely associated with the former regime of the Militant Socialist Movement and Pravind Jugnauth, who between 2020 and 2024 received a total of Rs 281 million, is now facing scrutiny over his company's close ties with Air Mauritius. Navin Ramgoolam issued a stern warning: "There will be no 'get out of jail free card.'"

The FCC has since initiated several investigations into payments received by Grant Thornton Mauritius from Air Mauritius Ltd and other state entities. Currently, the focus is on the awarding of the March 2020 Advisory Services contract. A month later, Sattar Hajee Abdoula was appointed as a "joint administrator" of the national carrier alongside Arvindsingh Gokhool to develop a recovery plan. The airline was under voluntary administration by its board from April 2020 to September 2021.

During the investigation, the FCC found that Grant Thornton had not completed its mission and that no report had been submitted to Air Mauritius, despite receiving Rs 3.6 million in March 2020. This situation led to the arrest of Sattar Hajee Abdoula on Wednesday, November 19.

Partner Rajabally's Version

At the end of the week, one of Sattar Hajee Abdoula's close associates, Mariam Rajabally, a Partner at Grant Thornton, was confronted with his statements at the FCC offices. She denied negotiating with Air Mauritius for the Advisory Services contract and provided emails demonstrating Sattar Hajee Abdoula's personal involvement in the matter.

Currently under arrest and provisionally charged with money laundering, Sattar Hajee Abdoula is hospitalized under police supervision at Wellkin Hospital. Represented by lawyer Raouf Gulbul, he rejects the allegations, claiming he only received half of the payments based on the services rendered.

In addition to the Rs 3.6 million payment, further investigations are looking into amounts received by Sattar Hajee Abdoula under the previous government. Navin Ramgoolam revealed in Parliament a total of Rs 287.2 million obtained between 2020 and 2024. As an administrator of Air Mauritius, Grant Thornton received Rs 141 million and also obtained Rs 5 million for its role as administrator of Airmate Ltd, a subsidiary of Airport Holdings Ltd.