12 apply for Supreme Court Justice position
Two positions on the Supreme Court bench became vacant on May 14
Supreme Court of the Maldives
12 candidates have applied for the position of Supreme Court Justice.
Two positions on the Supreme Court bench became vacant on May 14 when the People's Majlis passed a resolution to dismiss Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir.
After the dismissal of the two justices, applications for the two vacant positions were opened from May 17 through 12pm on May 22. By the deadline, 12 candidates had applied for the two vacant justice positions.
According to available information, among the applicants are the current Chief Justice of the High Court, Mohamed Faisal, and High Court Justice Mohamed Saleem. Some former judges have also applied.
The applicants are:
- Mohamed Faisal, Venus/ B. Fulhadhoo (Chief Justice of the High Court)
- Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Ma. Ivory House (Former MP for Thulusdhoo constituency)
- Ibrahim Ali
- Mohamed Ibrahim, Darussalam/ GA. Kondey
- Abdulla Hameed, Nooraaneemaage/ N. Henbadhoo (Former High Court Justice)
- Abdul Ghani Mohamed, H. Host Side (Former Supreme Court Justice)
- Ahmed Hailam, Oceanlead/ S. Hithadhoo (Former Chief Judge of the Criminal Court)
- Shujau Usman, Hilihilaage/ GA. Villingili (Former Chief Justice of the High Court)
- Mohamed Saleem, Morning Villa/ F. Bilehdhoo (High Court Justice)
- Mohamed Raghib Ahmed (Former judge; previously held a political position in the current administration)
- Aishath Fazna Ahmed, Registry No. RS 5514 (Former Assistant Prosecutor General)
- Mariyam Nihayath (Former Deputy Prosecutor General; Former Civil Court Judge)
Two positions out of the seven-member Supreme Court bench became vacant when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), controlled by the current administration, determined that there were proven ethical violations, and the People's Majlis, where the ruling party holds a supermajority, voted to dismiss the two justices on May 14.
At the Majlis sitting held on May 14, 68 lawmakers voted in favor of dismissing Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz, while 11 lawmakers voted against. Consequently, the two individuals have been removed from their positions as Supreme Court Justices.
JSC began an abrupt investigation into some Supreme Court Justices after the Supreme Court decided to proceed with a case regarding the constitutional amendment that would result in the loss of parliamentary seats for floor crossing.
