Parliament has referred to the Judiciary Committee for review President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's nominations for appointment to the Supreme Court. High Court Judge Mohamed Saleem and former High Court Judge Abdulla Hameed have been put forward to fill two vacancies following the removal of Justices Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir. The nominations were formally submitted during Monday's parliamentary session.
The Supreme Court, which comprises seven judges, has been operating with two vacant positions since the removal of Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, whose dismissals stemmed from disciplinary proceedings. A parliamentary vote on 14 May resulted in their removal, with 68 members supporting the motion.
With these vacancies, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) opened applications for Supreme Court appointments on 17 May, outlining eligibility criteria for prospective candidates. Applicants must be at least 30 years of age and hold a first-degree qualification in Islamic Shariah, Law, or a combination of both. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of seven years' experience as a judge or legal counsel.
During the application period, 12 individuals submitted their candidatures. Based on recommendations from the JSC, President Muizzu selected Judges Saleem and Hameed, forwarding their nominations to parliament. The Judiciary Committee now holds the responsibility of evaluating their qualifications and suitability for the role.