The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has confirmed that it is still investigating the Supreme Court justices who were removed from the bench after they began presiding over a constitutional challenge regarding the "anti-defection" amendment, which mandates that MPs lose their seats if they leave or are expelled from their political party.
ACC Media Official Aishath Sama told Adhadhu that the investigation into the dismissed Supreme Court justices remains ongoing. She did not provide any further details regarding the case.
The ACC launched its investigation into Supreme Court Justices Husnu Suood, Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Azmiralda Zahir in February 2024. The three justices were suspended after announcing the investigation, just as hearings were set to commence on the legal challenge against the parliamentary seat-loss amendment.
Suood resigned while the investigation was underway. In May 2024, the government-controlled Parliament voted to dismiss Mahaz and Azmiralda, acting against the formal advice of the Parliament’s Counsel General.
Neither Azmiralda nor Mahaz were granted the opportunity to defend themselves before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) or during the parliamentary committee stage. Their dismissal was passed using the super-majority held by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
While the ACC stated it is investigating a criminal matter involving the justices, it has withheld the details. The allegations against Mahaz and Azmiralda reportedly involve claims of influencing a lower court case, while the allegation against Suood pertained to remarks made regarding the accountability of the High Court Registrar.
The government has since filled the three vacancies on the Supreme Court bench. The newly appointed justices are Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee, Justice Abdulla Hameed, and Justice Hussein Shaheed.
