The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has reversed its decision to appoint Mohamed Raghib Ahmed to the Civil Court bench, Dhauru reported yesterday.
In addition to Raghib, the JSC had selected two other candidates for the Civil Court: Asiya Azeema and Mohamed Nishath.
While all three appointees were scheduled to be sworn in today, the JSC’s decision to rescind Raghib’s appointment means only the remaining two candidates will take their oaths of office.
President Mohamed Muizzu had previously appointed Raghib as a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Environment. He was dismissed from that post after filing a constitutional case at the High Court seeking to nullify the city status of Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo, on the grounds that its population had not reached 10,000.
Raghib also faced controversy for representing clients against the state while holding a government position. The High Court intervened to stop him from appearing as a defense attorney in a child sex abuse case while he served in the administration.
Raghib entered private legal practice after resigning as Chief Magistrate of the Kaafu Atoll Judicial Sector in 2019. His resignation came after the JSC recommended his dismissal following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against multiple female employees at the court.
At the time, the JSC concluded that the allegations of sexual harassment against Raghib were proven. Furthermore, the commission found him guilty of participating in political activities, campaigning for political figures, and exerting undue influence over a marriage case in Thulusdhoo Court against the bride's will. He was also implicated in bringing a foreign woman to Thulusdhoo and engaging in conduct unbecoming of a judge.
The JSC recently faced similar backlash over the appointment of Mohamed Shaheed, an activist for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), to the High Court. Following widespread public criticism, Shaheed withdrew his name the night before his scheduled swearing-in ceremony.
