Parliament refers Shaheed's Supreme Court nomination to committee
The position became vacant following the resignation of Justice Husnu Suood on 4 March.
Parliament on Tuesday referred the nomination of Chief Justice of the High Court Hussain Shaheed for appointment as a justice of the Supreme Court to its Judiciary Committee for review.
The position became vacant following the resignation of Justice Husnu Suood on 4 March. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommended Shaheed’s appointment after reviewing three candidates. The President submitted Shaheed’s name to Parliament on Monday.
The President’s letter was read out by Secretary-General Fatimath Niusha during the parliamentary sitting on Tuesday. Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla then announced that the Judiciary Committee would review the nomination process to determine whether the JSC and the President’s Office had followed the required procedures.
Shaheed has served as a High Court judge for over seven years. His judicial career includes:
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Sworn in as a High Court judge on 24 July 2018
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Temporarily assigned the responsibilities of Chief Justice of the High Court on 18 November 2022
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Appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court on 30 October 2023
Other positions he has held include:
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Magistrate of the Feydhoo Magistrate Court in Addu
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Chief Magistrate of N. Holhudhoo Magistrate Court
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Judge of the Criminal Court
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Assistant Legal Officer, Criminal Court
Shaheed obtained higher education in Sharia and law from Al-Azhar University and Kuliyat al-Dirasat al-Islamiyya in Egypt. He also holds a Master of Islamic Judicial Science and Sharia Policy from the Islamic University of the Maldives.
According to the Judiciary Act, the appointment process for a Supreme Court judge involves:
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The JSC conducting interviews and submitting candidates to the President.
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The President sending the name or names to Parliament.
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Parliament approving the appointment, after which the President must finalise it within seven days.
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The President retaining the discretion to nominate candidates of his choosing to the JSC for consideration.
The vacancy follows the suspension of Justices Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir, who are under investigation by the JSC for alleged misconduct. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also investigating a related corruption case.
The JSC had previously suspended proceedings on cases involving these justices, including a review of a constitutional amendment that could result in the loss of parliamentary seats if a member is expelled from their party. The case remains stalled following the suspension of the judges.
Four judges continue to serve on the Supreme Court. Under the Courts Act, a constitutional case in the Supreme Court requires a minimum of five judges to form a bench.
