14 candidates compete for High Court judge post
Former Civil Court Judge Abdulla Jameel Moosa was appointed to another vacancy last week.
Fourteen candidates have submitted applications for the vacant post of High Court judge, according to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The vacancy arose after an earlier appointment process drew criticism. The JSC had initially selected Mohamed Shaheed, a former Deputy Minister of the Home Ministry and a member of the ruling PNC’s legal team. The decision was challenged by senior prosecutor Ahmed Naushad, who filed a civil suit. Following the court’s acceptance of the case, Shaheed withdrew his application.
The new applicants for the position are:
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1-
Shujau Usman – Former Chief Justice of the High Court
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2-
Ibrahim Nasih – Senior Prosecutor, Prosecutor General’s Office
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3-
Ibrahim Mahir – Chief Justice of the Family Court
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4-
Sulaiman Mohamed – Chief Magistrate, Kurendhoo Court
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5-
Hassan Faheem Ibrahim – Civil Court Judge
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6-
Ummu Kulsoom Abu Bakr
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7-
Ali Naseer
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8-
Mohamed Ibrahim – Chief Magistrate, Kondey Court
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9-
Mohamed Zahid
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10-
Ashfaq Naeem
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11-
Mohamed Nishath
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12-
Abdul Muhsin Abdul Hakeem – Chief Magistrate, Nilandhoo Court
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13-
Mohamed Hashim – Chief Magistrate, S. Hithadhoo Constituency
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14-
Mariyam Haneefa Khalid – Lawyer; Former Director, Elections Commission
A High Court judge’s remuneration includes a basic salary of MVR 45,700 per month, a living allowance of MVR 18,000, and a risk allowance of MVR 3,300.
Eligibility criteria for the role require candidates to be at least 25 years old, hold a first degree in Islamic Sharia or Law, and have a minimum of five years’ experience as a judge, lawyer, or both.
The High Court vacancy follows recent appointments to the Supreme Court. Former High Court Chief Justice Hussain Shaheed was appointed to replace Husnu Suood, who resigned in March. Former Civil Court Judge Abdulla Jameel Moosa was appointed to another vacancy last week.
Three Supreme Court judges’ posts became vacant after the JSC suspended Mahaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir in February last year and began investigating ethical matters. The suspensions occurred before the Court could hear a case relating to an interim injunction on the implementation of a constitutional amendment that would disqualify MPs from Parliament upon losing political party membership.
