Investigation into STC Oil Contracts: Kareena Neisius Denied Access to FCC Documents

The Supreme Court has rejected the request of Liinaa Kareena Neisius, director of the Mauritian branch of MMG, to access confidential documents from the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC). The investigation concerns the awarding of controversial oil contracts valued at Rs 30 billion.

Liinaa Kareena Neisius, the 42-year-old director of Mercantile & Maritime Group (MMG) in Mauritius, had her request denied by the Supreme Court in a ruling issued on January 23, 2026. She is temporarily accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering and sought access to several documents held by the FCC. The agency is investigating alleged irregularities related to the awarding of oil contracts worth approximately Rs 30 billion by the State Trading Corporation (STC) to MMG for the period of 2023-2024.

In his decision, Judge Azam Neerooa, sitting in chambers, stated that the woman had not demonstrated an emergency situation that would justify the intervention of the judge, according to Article 806 of the Civil Procedure Code.

The case dates back to April 9, 2025, when Liinaa Kareena Neisius's home was searched, and documents and computer equipment were seized. She was subsequently interrogated twice.

Through her lawyers, the MMG director had requested the release of 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 denied these requests, citing the confidentiality obligation under Article 161 of the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023, specifying that it only held the minutes of a STC Board meeting held in June 2023.

In court, Me Yahia Nazroo, the lawyer for the 42-year-old, 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 did not accept this argument. He noted that the right to full disclosure of evidence "arises only when a person is charged with a criminal offence" and that Liinaa Kareena Neisius would have adequate remedies if formal charges were to be brought against her.