Criminal Court Judges Ibrahim Zihunee and Sofwath Habeeb have refused to give statements as desired by the government.

Judge Ibrahim Zihunee and Sofwath Habeeb were summoned to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) last week, to collect their statements regarding the case where Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir and Justice Azmiralda Zahir are alleged to have attempted to influence the Criminal Court.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, a reliable source revealed that in relation to the case, Judge Ibrahim Zihunee and Sofwath Habeeb have refused to give statements as desired by the government, and that the statements given were not in line with what the government wanted. It was also alleged that the government is exerting significant pressure and attempting to intimidate Judge Zihunee and Sofwath.

The allegation against Judge Mahaz and Azmiralda is that they tried to influence the Criminal Court to release Azmiralda’s husband when he was arrested in a case. However, as Judge Zihunee and Sofwath of the Criminal Court did not give statements, the source said that the JSC has now begun investigating another ethical case.

The source said that the case currently being investigated is related to an incident where former High Court Assistant Registrar Hussain Mohamed Haneef was summoned to the Supreme Court, and then-Supreme Court Judge Husnu Al Suood allegedly spoke to him using "offensive language". Judge Mahaz and Azmiralda were present at the meeting, which is why this case is being investigated.

JSC has also decided to investigate Husnu Al Suood's case as it was alleged that he spoke to Haneef using offensive language. However, on 4 March 2025, Husnu Al Suood resigned from his position as a Supreme Court Justice, stating that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is violating the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.

JSC first began investigating the case of alleged offensive language used against former High Court Assistant Registrar Haneef in October 2022. However, the commission has not completed the investigation to date. JSC has begun investigating such cases after the start of the trial regarding the petition to nullify the constitutional amendment that allows members representing political parties to lose their seats for floorcrossing.