President Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Abdul Ghanee Mohamed as the new Chief Justice.
Muizzu presented the letter of appointment at a special ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office.
The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Abdulla Hameed. Following the oath, the Chief Justice signed the official declaration.
Ghanee previously served on the Supreme Court bench, but was dismissed by the parliament on December 4, 2019, after multiple complaints.
But the current parliament, controlled by Muizzu's government, approved Ghanee for the Chief Justice post with 62 votes in favour.
Ghanee previously served in the Civil Court and the High Court before his appointment to the Supreme Court in June 2018.
But the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) heard multiple cases against him, including the Supreme Court order to disqualify 12 MPs, attempting to stop the JSC's suspension of former Supreme Court Justice Abdullah Didi for allegedly taking bribes and the creation of a judicial council.
He was removed from the bench based on a report sent by the JSC. Sixty-four MPs voted to remove him at the time.
Ghanee was later appointed to the Tax Appeal Tribunal after Muizzu assumed office in November 2023.
The Supreme Court bench consists of seven members. Three of them were appointed by Muizzu. With the new Chief Justice, the majority of the bench has been appointed under Muizzu.
