Mohamed Shaneez Abdulla, former senior magistrate of the Gaaf Dhaal Gadhdhoo magistrate court, was appointed to the high court on Thursday.
Two vacancies opened up on the high court bench after the retirement of chief judge Hathif Hilmy and judge Shuaib Hussain Zakariyya.
While an appointment was made previously to fill one vacancy, Shaneez's appointment completes the full bench. The appointment decision was made at a meeting of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on May 24.
Shaneez has a Bachelors in Shariah and Law from the College of Islamic Studies and a Masters in Shariah and Law from Villa College. He served in the judiciary for the past nine years.
Other applicants to the post:
- Mariyam Waheed, Seenu Feydhoo
- Ali Ahmed, Faafu Nilandhoo
- Mohamed Minaj, Seenu Feydhoo
Former criminal court judge Ahmed Shakeel was appointed to fill the other vacancy after he was chosen from among the applicants who responded to the JSC announcement.
Shakeel presided over the trial where former president Abdulla Yameen was convicted of bribery and money laundering over the sale of Vaavu Aarah.
At an appointment ceremony held at the JSC on Thursday, Aishath Nuzuha was appointed to the criminal court and Aishath Shihab was appointed to the Gaaf Alif Villingili court.
