JSC appoints Abdul Rauf, Ismail Shafeeu to High Court

The Judicial Service Commission has decided to appoint former High Court judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim and Criminal Court judge Ismail Shafeeu to fill two vacancies at the High Court.

The vacancies arose following the resignation of High Court justices Mohamed Niyaz and Mohamed Faisal. Niyaz retired in November last year, while Faisal resigned in December after the Judicial Service Commission initiated an investigation concerning both judges.

The swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed judges had been scheduled for 8:00 pm on Tuesday but was later postponed. The Judicial Service Commission did not announce a revised date for the ceremony.

A total of 19 candidates applied for the vacant High Court judge positions.

Abdul Rauf Ibrahim previously served as a High Court judge and resigned in May 2022. His resignation followed a decision by the Judicial Service Commission to investigate allegations related to the acceptance of government-provided housing incentives during the administration of former president Abdulla Yameen. Abdul Rauf had served as a judge for more than 11 years at the time of his resignation. Since then, he contested the Keyodhoo constituency as a candidate of the ruling People’s National Congress.

Ismail Shafeeu is currently serving as a judge at the Criminal Court. He was appointed to the Criminal Court in September 2021 and previously worked as a prosecutor at the Prosecutor General’s Office for more than two years.