The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has maintained that it is following procedures in ongoing investigations, after criticism from both President Abdulla Yameen and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
President Yameen has called on the JSC to expedite disciplinary cases against judges, specifically highlighting the case against the Chief Judge of the High Court Ahmed Shareef.
“It is now exceeding over a year since the case was submitted. [Judge Shareef] is not required to report to work, he is under suspension. However, he is still getting paid. How can we accept this?” Yameen said earlier this week in Addu atoll.
Meanwhile, the MDP yesterday released a statement expressing concern about the delays in pursuing the cases against Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed, following the police’s recent announcement that investigations into Hameed’s alleged appearance in a series of sex tapes had been suspended.
JSC Spokesperson Hassan Zaheen told Minivan News that the commission was currently working on both cases.
“We are continuing to work in the investigation process of the case against Judge Ahmed Shareef,” he explained.
“Even in Judge Ali Hameed’s case, the JSC is doing what is necessary in the investigation stages. We are doing what is required of the JSC. It is none of our concern that the police have decided to file the matter,” he said.
He refused to comment further on the criticism levied against the commission.
Commission criticism
Speaking in Addu, Yameen highlighted the importance of JSC members being independent and able to review cases justly.
Adding that the law does not allow for any persons to be “kidnapped” or kept under forceful banishment, the president stated that “it is a deeply saddening journey to be forced to stay away from one’s job for 12 months and still continue to be paid”.
A High Court Judge is entitled to monthly pay and allowances summing up to MVR56,300 (US$3,651). Judge Ahmed Shareef continues to receive the full salary despite his suspension.
Shareef’s suspension came as he presided over a legal challenge to the legitimacy of the Hulhumalé Magistrate Court bench, which was handpicked by the JSC to oversee the trial of former President Mohamed Nasheed for the January 2012 detention of Judge Abdulla Mohamed.
Judge Ahmed Shareef was suspended by the JSC in May last year, more than 12 months after the initial submission of complaints in relation to potential corruption.
JSC Chair and Supreme Court Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla at the time claimed the suspension was unrelated to the Nasheed/Hulhumalé case.
The JSC subsequently contested the High Court’s jurisdiction to hear the case into the legality of the magistrate court – no hearings have been held in the Nasheed trial for over 12 months.
Nasheed’s legal team sent a letter to the High Court late last month, requesting the case be continued immediately.
Yesterday, the MDP said that the failure to proceed with the cases against Ali Hameed demonstrated the current state of the Maldivian justice system.
A statement released by the party noted that police had filed the cases into Ali Hameed’s alleged appearance in sex tapes, the JSC’s halting of the investigation into complaints against the same judge, and alleged destruction of papers concerning a corruption case against Hameed being destroyed in a coffee spill.
“We therefore note that the criminal justice system of this country is one that has failed to deliver justice. That the cases against Ali Hameed fail to be investigated, and the surprising events that unfold if a case against him is filed at the courts clearly demonstrate the status of this country’s criminal justice system.”
President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali refused to comment on the allegations today, stating “this government does not see it as necessary to comment on everything that the opposition MDP has to say”.
![](https://minivannewsarchive.com/cmsMUIH10/wp-content/plugins/like-dislike-counter-for-posts-pages-and-comments/images/up.png)
![](https://minivannewsarchive.com/cmsMUIH10/wp-content/plugins/like-dislike-counter-for-posts-pages-and-comments/images/down.png)
This is what the Maldivian public voted for. Everyone knows who Ali Hameed is, what he did, and how is avoiding justice.
Everyone can see how Shiyam is manipulating the judicial system. For the first time, a Criminal Court judge has been removed from handling a case due to a complaint from the accused.
It's very interesting for foreign investors to see how well oiled the Maldivian justice system is, when it comes to those in power and have influence. Corruption, nepotism and injustice is taking on another meaning and will do so for the foreseeable future. Again, that's what the Maldivian public voted for. Those who called for reform of ths sick system were turned away. So, the whole world can see what this place is turning into.
It's very rich for JSC to say, they don't care.
It's like the soccer coach saying he doesn't care what happens. The police saying they don't care about anything.
This stupid baby-faced judge has undermined the law-upholding-institutions more than any other ever has done. He is a criminal!
indeed he is. but not only him
we can say that apart from few in the parliament everybody is.
I never thought I'd be proud to say I didn't vote for these bastards.