AG dismisses claims of Supreme Court bench restructuring
Usham asserted that former President Solih's claims were baseless.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham on Wednesday refuted allegations that the government intends to alter the composition of the Supreme Court bench, either through legislative amendments or other means.
Responding to statements made by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally on Tuesday, Usham asserted that the claims were baseless. Solih had alleged that the government's ultimate goal is to exert control over the judiciary by restructuring the Supreme Court bench.
“The next step this government will take is to change the bench of the Supreme Court. It will not stop without doing that,” Solih said at the rally.
Speaking to Atoll Times, Usham stated that the government has not pursued any actions to influence the judiciary since the Progressive National Congress (PNC)-led administration assumed a parliamentary majority over a year ago.
“There is a commitment to maintaining judicial independence. The government has not taken any action against high court judges during this time,” Usham said.
When questioned about potential legislative changes to modify the number of Supreme Court justices, Usham dismissed the suggestion, stating that such an initiative is not part of the government’s agenda.
“I believe the MDP leadership is referencing actions taken during their administration. In their first year in power, they initiated actions against Supreme Court judges, resulting in changes to the bench,” Usham said.
The Supreme Court's current composition stems from past legislative changes. Under the PPM-PNC-led government, the number of justices was reduced from seven to five. Subsequently, Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain and Justice Ahmed Mu'thasim Adnan were removed by parliament after being deemed incompetent.
In February 2018, during a declared state of emergency, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed were arrested and dismissed.
The most recent changes to the Supreme Court bench occurred during Solih’s presidency, when the MDP held a majority in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and parliament. Usham noted that the current bench comprises judges appointed during that period.
A case challenging the constitutional amendments referenced by Solih is pending in the Supreme Court. Filed by former MP Ali Hussein, the case has been accepted, but hearings are yet to begin as the court was in recess.
