A police officer charged with possession of drugs has told the court that he did not take the oath despite attending the ceremony.
Ahmed Sajid was arrested on July 11 after police found suspected drugs in his home during a raid with a search warrant.
The search warrant was obtained due to allegations of selling vape which was banned in the Maldives in 2024.
Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo court ordered to release him from custody, but the state appealed the order at the High Court.
During the appeal hearing on Thursday, Sajid said he attended the swearing-in ceremony but did not take the oath.
"Yes, I went to the constabulary swearing-in ceremony. But I didn't take the oath, I just stayed there," he said.
The lower court ruled that Sajid could not be arrested as being in possession of vape is not a criminal offense.
The court also rules that the search warrant was invalid, making the evidence invalid as well.
But the state prosecutors told the High Court that it is a criminal offense for a law enforcement officer to sell prohibited items including vape.
The insisted that a search warrant can be issued in connection with possession of vape as the suspect is a police officer.
When Sajid told the court that he did not take the oath as a police officer, the judges expressed frustration.
“Does the lawyer expect us to believe that he is telling the truth?” Judge Mohamed Niyaz said after Sajid's remarks.
The hearing ended on Thursday after announcing that a decision will be announced at the next hearing.
