Investigation into STC Oil Contracts: Kareena Neisius Denied Access to FCC Documents
The Supreme Court has denied Liinaa Kareena Neisius, director of the Mauritian subsidiary of Mercantile & Maritime Group (MMG), access to confidential documents from the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC). The investigation concerns the awarding of controversial oil contracts valued at Rs 30 billion.
On January 23, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed Neisius's request. The 42-year-old woman, provisionally accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering, sought access to several documents held by the FCC. This agency is investigating alleged irregularities in the awarding of approximately Rs 30 billion in oil contracts by the State Trading Corporation (STC) to MMG for the 2023-2024 period.
In his ruling, Judge Azam Neerooa stated that Neisius had not demonstrated an emergency situation justifying the intervention of the judge, in accordance with Article 806 of the Civil Procedure Code.
The case dates back to April 9, 2025, when Neisius's home was searched, leading to the seizure of documents and computer equipment. She was subsequently interrogated twice.
Through her lawyers, MMG's director had requested access to five documents, including minutes from STC Board meetings and Cabinet meetings, as well as documents related to the awarding of a fuel supply contract to Mercantile and Maritime Investment PTE Ltd. The FCC refused these requests, citing the duty of confidentiality under Article 161 of the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023, stating that it only held the minutes from an STC Board meeting held in June 2023.
In court, Neisius's lawyer, Me Yahia Nazroo, argued that access to the documents was "necessary for her client to prepare her defense..." relying on the right to a fair trial guaranteed by Article 10 of the Constitution.
The judge dismissed this argument, stating that the right to complete disclosure of evidence "arises only when a person is charged with a criminal offense" and that Neisius would have adequate remedies if formal charges were brought against her.