Former Prosecutor General and renowned lawyer Ahmed Muizzu has said there is no legal basis for the dismissal of Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir.
Earlier on Tuesday, the parliament's Counsel General Fathimath Filza said the Judicial Service Commission's investigation against the justices was unlawful as the commission did not follow due process mentioned in the JSC Act.
However, the dismissal of the justices has been scheduled for today's parliament sitting.
In a post on X, Muizzu said he knew Azmiralda and Mahaz well and that they are "just, fair and honest justices."
"I do not believe that the two of them committed any act which justifies their removal from the bench. An argument on such a legal basis has not even been made so far," said the former MP who is also a member of the Bar Council.
Muizzu urged MPs to remember Article 75 of the constitution and their oath during the vote on the removal of the justices.
“Please vote fairly, keeping in mind that the parliament has a role to play in ensuring the basic rights guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.
titledesc
titledesc
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged not to influence the judiciary. But his appointed members on the JSC and the government-controlled party are working towards the dismissal of justices without completing due process.
JSC abruptly began disciplinary proceedings against the justices after the Supreme Court accepted a constitutional case to quash a constitutional amendment which empowered political parties to disqualify MPs for floor crossing.
The proceedings were launched after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) fabricated a criminal investigation and sent a letter to the JSC against standard procedure. The justices were not allowed to defend themselves at the JSC and the parliament.
