Shaheed appointed as Supreme Court judge
The vacancy arose following the resignation of Justice Husnu Suood on 4 March.
President Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday appointed Hussain Shaheed, the Chief Justice of the High Court, as a justice of the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Justice Aisha Shujoon Mohamed administered the oath of office to Shaheed at a ceremony held at the President’s Office Wednesday afternoon. The president handed over the appointment letter to Shaheed.
Parliament passed his nomination on Wednesday. with 64 votes in favour, including support from opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members. No votes were cast against the appointment.
The vacancy arose following the resignation of Justice Husnu Suood on 4 March. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommended Shaheed’s appointment after three candidates applied for the position.
Shaheed has served as a High Court judge for more than seven years. His tenure includes:
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Appointment as a High Court judge on 24 July 2018
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Temporary assignment as Chief Justice of the High Court on 18 November 2022
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Appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court on 30 October 2023
His previous positions include:
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Magistrate, Feydhoo Magistrate Court, Addu
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Chief Magistrate, N. Holhudhoo Magistrate Court
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Judge, Criminal Court
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Assistant Legal Officer, Criminal Court
Shaheed obtained his 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.
Under the Judiciary Act, the process for appointing a Supreme Court judge involves:
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Candidates being interviewed by the JSC and recommended to the President.
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The JSC submitting the nominated candidates to Parliament.
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Upon parliamentary approval, the President appointing the judge within seven days.
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The President having the authority to submit any candidates he deems fit for appointment.
The vacancy follows the suspension of two Supreme Court judges, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir. The JSC suspended the judges after being informed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was investigating a corruption case involving them. The JSC is also conducting an inquiry into behavioural concerns related to both judges.
The decision to hear cases involving the suspended judges, including those filed with the previous JSC, was postponed just before a hearing on an interim order regarding the loss of parliamentary seats was scheduled to begin. The constitutional amendment in question allows for the removal of a Member of Parliament if expelled from their political party. The case has been temporarily stalled.
With two judges suspended, four remain in the Supreme Court. According to the Courts Act, constitutional cases in the Supreme Court must be heard by a bench of at least five judges.
