President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) President Hussain Riza Adam and Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) President Adam Shamil are working to influence the Supreme Court, former judge Husnu Suood said today.
In a letter sent to the JSC after resigning from the Supreme Court, Suood said they were trying to intimidate judges in order to influence a constitutional case on MP disqualification.
"The President, Attorney General Ahmed Usham, JSC President Hussain Riza and Anti Corruption Commission Chairman [are exerting unconstitutional influence] to conclude the case as desired by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Attorney General Ahmed Usham," he stated.
While the court was hearing the constitutional case, an amendment to the Judicature Act was also passed to remove two Supreme Court judges and reduce the size of the bench from seven to five members.
The bill was proposed on February 24 and passed on February 26 despite concerns from the Counsel General of the People's Majlis over the fairness of the bill. However, the bill has not yet been ratified.
Government spokesperson Heena Waleed did not respond to questions as to why the bill was not ratified. The President has 15 days to ratify the bill or send it back to the People's Majlis.
The Bar Council said the bill is unconstitutional and cannot be implemented even if it is ratified.
"The Council is of the view that since Article 268 of the Constitution states that any law or part of a law that violates the Constitution shall be void and that such a law or part of such a law will not have any power, and that any act which violates the Constitution shall be null and void. The bill goes against fundamental provisions laid down in the Constitution," the Bar Council said in a statement.
Immediately after the People's Majlis approved the bill, the JSC suspended Supreme Court justices Husnu Suood, Mahaz Ali Zahir and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir. JSC said they were suspended because the ACC informed about a criminal investigation against them.
But the ACC and JSC have refused to provide any information about the investigation.
