Azmiralda denies allegations: 'Baseless cases for influence'
Azmiralda stated that these cases appear to be an attempt to interfere with the judiciary.
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Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is investigating baseless and unfounded allegations against suspended Supreme Court Justice Azmiralda Zahir, her attorney said on Thursday.
Azmiralda’s legal representatives at Shameel & Co. LLP issued a statement on her suspension. In the statement signed by lawyer Ibrahim Shameel, the firm addressed the JSC’s actions.
According to the statement:
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Azmiralda’s husband, IGMH doctor Ismail Lateef, has denied allegations that he influenced a Criminal Court judge to secure his release from custody. The JSC is investigating the matter.
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Azmiralda has submitted a detailed letter to the JSC in her defence.
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The JSC suspended Azmiralda after being informed of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation. No further details have been provided.
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No information has been shared regarding the nature of the alleged crime under ACC investigation.
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The ACC has requested information in writing but has not yet received a response.
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The JSC has not disclosed details of the meeting in which Azmiralda was suspended or shared a copy of the ACC’s letter.
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The ethical case being investigated by the JSC does not involve corruption allegations of the kind under ACC review.
Azmiralda stated that these cases appear to be an attempt to interfere with the judiciary. She further claimed that she has been unable to seek legal recourse as the relevant institutions have not provided the information she has requested.
On 26 February, Azmiralda, along with Supreme Court justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Husnu Suood, was suspended. The JSC had announced that the ACC was investigating a case involving all three judges.
Mahaz is also accused of influencing Azmiralda’s husband’s release, which the JSC is reviewing as an ethical issue.
On Tuesday, Suood resigned from his position. The JSC has stated that it will investigate multiple conduct-related matters concerning him.
The suspension of the three justices occurred shortly before a Supreme Court hearing on a constitutional amendment that could result in MPs losing their seats if expelled from their parties.
Suood’s resignation letter included allegations that President Mohamed Muizzu had attempted to influence the judiciary regarding the case.
