AG denies govt interference in judiciary

Attorney General Ahmed Usham on Monday denied allegations that the government, including President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, has interfered with the judiciary.

Speaking at the 'Ahaa Forum', Usham responded to a question from a member of the public concerning claims of judicial influence made by former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood and others.

Usham stated that neither he nor the President had taken any action to influence Supreme Court judges.

"Former Justice Husnu Suood is a political figure and will make political statements," he said. "But I have not engaged in any attempt to influence judges of the Supreme Court."

He further claimed that Suood himself may have influenced the judiciary.

"Various parties have communicated messages to the President from Suood, and meetings were held. He may have exerted influence over the judiciary and over Supreme Court judges," Usham said.

Addressing accountability, Usham stated that he would take responsibility if any investigative body found otherwise.

“I stand by my statement. I have not influenced any Supreme Court judge,” he said.

Separately, Usham addressed allegations made by Supreme Court Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir. The Judicial Service Commission has submitted a recommendation to Parliament’s Judiciary Committee to remove Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir from the Supreme Court bench, and Usham’s name has been mentioned in related claims made by Azmiralda.

Azmiralda has alleged that Usham sent an agent to threaten her in connection with a pending constitutional case. Usham denied this, stating he had spoken with a mutual acquaintance of Dr Azmiralda in early February, prior to any scheduled hearings in the case.

“At the time of the conversation, there was no Supreme Court hearing scheduled. Two hearings were only set after that,” he said.

Usham also questioned why allegations were only made after court proceedings had taken place.

“When the case was heard in court twice, why weren’t these allegations raised then?” he asked.

He reiterated that neither he nor the President had taken steps to influence the judiciary.

The constitutional case under discussion relates to an amendment that could potentially disqualify certain members of Parliament. The matter is currently stalled due to the suspension of three Supreme Court judges, which has affected the composition of the full seven-member bench hearing the case.

Currently, only four justices remain active on the bench. Under the Courts Act, a minimum of five justices is required to hear constitutional cases in the Supreme Court. Changes to a bench may occur when a judge resigns or is removed from office.

Justice Suood resigned in protest, citing pressure on the judiciary to delay proceedings in the constitutional case. The case has remained on hold for over two months.