STF Justice Dino Removes Maranhão Audit Court President Amid Homicide, Corruption Probe

Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) Justice Flávio Dino ordered the 180-day removal of Daniel Itapary Brandão, the powerful president of the Maranhão State Audit Court (TCE-MA), on Monday as part of an expanding Federal Police probe that links the alleged misappropriation of public funds to a 2022 homicide in the state capital. The decision, which is a precautionary measure, immediately sidelines one of Maranhão’s most senior public officials who is also the nephew of sitting Governor Carlos Brandão (MDB). The action by the Brazilian Supreme Court underscores its continued, high-stakes role in overseeing complex political corruption Brazil investigations, even at the state level.

The investigation centers on a supposed criminal ecosystem involving the diversion of public resources, parliamentary amendments, and possible bribery, which investigators believe is connected to the murder of businessman João Bosco Pereira Oliveira Sobrinho in São Luís. The removal of Daniel Itapary Brandão from the Maranhão Audit Court presidency was requested by the Federal Police, with Justice Dino arguing the move was necessary to prevent interference in the ongoing investigation. In his decision, Dino specifically noted the risk that Brandão's position as the state's top public accounts watchdog could be used to obstruct justice, and cited evidence indicating attempts to shield Brandão's name from the case since the crime occurred. The TCE-MA is the institution responsible for overseeing and auditing the state's public spending.

The political significance of the action is immense. Brandão’s uncle, Governor Carlos Brandão, has been a political rival of Justice STF Flávio Dino for years; Dino served as Governor of Maranhão before his appointment to the high court. In his ruling, Dino went further than a simple removal, prohibiting Daniel Brandão from accessing the Audit Court’s premises and barring him from having contact with other investigators in the case, including the Governor. The Governor’s office has previously questioned the impartiality of Dino in the matter, claiming the probe is politically motivated, a claim Daniel Brandão’s defense echoed while denying any involvement in the corruption or the Homicide Investigation.

Because Brandão holds the high office of a State Audit Court counselor, his case is before the STF due to Brazil's foro por prerrogativa de função, or privileged forum rule, which grants high-ranking officials the right to be judged directly by a superior court. The 180-day suspension is intended to allow Federal Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office to finalize their work and determine whether to present formal criminal charges against the powerful former head of the state’s fiscal oversight body. What happens next depends on the findings of the next phase of the investigation, which Justice Dino's order now clears the way for.