FCC alleges documentary evidence against Sattar Hajee Abdoula in Air Mauritius money laundering case
via Le Mauricien2 min read
The Financial Crimes Commission FCC, represented by Acting Chief Investigator Atish Bholah, stated in Port Louis District Court that direct documentary evidence exists against Sattar Hajee Abdoula, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisory Services Ltd. Abdoula faces a provisional money laundering charge related to a Rs 3.6 million payment from Air Mauritius to his firm in 2020. The FCC's statement was made during debates on Abdoula's motion to dismiss the provisional charge. During cross-examination by Abdoula's lawyer, Me Raouf Gulbul, Bholah admitted that Abdoula was not a signatory to the contract between Air Mauritius and Grant Thornton Advisory Services Ltd. However, Bholah maintained that the contract lacked approval from the Air Mauritius board and did not follow required procedures, asserting that evidence against Abdoula persists. He also confirmed that Air Mauritius has not demanded the return of the sum from Abdoula. The case will resume on Monday for legal arguments. The Rs 3.6 million payment was made in March 2020 for advisory services that were allegedly never provided to the national airline, one month before Abdoula's appointment as an Air Mauritius director. Abdoula, arrested by the FCC on November 19, 2025, denies any wrongdoing, stating there was a civil contract and his firm began work, but the COVID-19 lockdown prevented its completion.
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