Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed’s impeachment motion has been forwarded to the parliament's judiciary committee for further review.
The motion was submitted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), under Article 22(b) of the Judges’ Act, after completing investigations into three disciplinary complaints against him.
JSC announced the decision last Thursday, and had issued Ghanee a 60-day suspension as they await parliament’s decision on his removal.
If the people’s majlis approves his dismissal, he will be the fourth justice to be removed through these procedures since the 19th parliament began work this May.
Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi and Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla were impeached on November 18 while Justice Abdulla Didi was removed in August.
Furthermore, Justice Ahmed Areef retired from the Supreme Court bench last week.
Hence, if Ghanee’s impeachment motion passes, the entire Supreme Court bench will change as the remaining three were recently appointed; Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Aisha Shujoon Mohamed and Mahaaz Zahir
As per law, the Supreme Court bench comprises of seven justices.
Judges can be removed through parliament if found guilty of gross misconduct, if two-thirds majority of the members present and voting support the resolution.