Raaghib set for court appointment despite proven misconduct

Mohamed Raaghib Ahmed, who has been selected by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for appointment to the Civil Court, previously faced removal from the judiciary after the commission found eight misconduct allegations against him proven.

The JSC recently decided to select Raaghib as one of three candidates to fill vacancies on the Civil Court bench.

Raaghib previously served as Chief Magistrate of the Kaafu Atoll Judicial Sector at the Thulusdhoo Magistrate Court.

In 2019, the JSC investigated a series of allegations against Raaghib and found eight allegations proven. The commission decided to remove him from office, after which he resigned from his judicial post.

Among the findings against Raaghib were allegations concerning the sexual harassment and assault of two female court employees.

The JSC also found that Raaghib had altered judgments and judicial documents in cases that had already been adjudicated and concluded by the Thulusdhoo Magistrate Court and the Kaafu Diffushi Magistrate Court.

Another finding concerned personal ties maintained with a party to cases filed with the court.

The commission also found that Raaghib had discriminated between court employees and required staff to carry out work outside their assigned responsibilities.

The JSC's findings further included participation in political activities and efforts to mobilise support for political figures while serving in the judiciary.

Raaghib was also found to have handled administrative matters in the atoll contrary to procedures established by the Department of Judicial Administration, interfering with the court administrator's ability to perform assigned duties.

Another allegation found proven by the JSC concerned the use of his position in relation to a marriage case. The commission found that he had used his position and influence to have a marriage solemnised at the Thulusdhoo Magistrate Court without the consent of the bride.

The eighth finding related to Raaghib bringing a foreign woman to Thulusdhoo and engaging in conduct that the JSC determined was contrary to judicial ethics.

Raaghib denied the allegations at the time. In his defence, he argued that the composition of the JSC was influenced by members associated with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Following his departure from the judiciary, Raaghib worked as a lawyer for the then-opposition Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition.

After the current administration took office, Raaghib was appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Environment. He was later dismissed from the post after filing a case against the state.

Raaghib has now been selected to return to the judiciary following a decision by the current JSC, where members aligned with the ruling PNC hold a majority.

The JSC has selected Raaghib alongside Aasiya Azeema and Mohamed Nishath to fill three vacancies on the Civil Court bench.