Attorney General Ahmed Usham has stepped down from a special committee within the Judicial Service Committee (JSC) that investigates complaints against judges. The JSC is a body responsible for overseeing the judiciary, and its specialized committee includes Usham, Yamzeedh Mohamed (a recent appointee representing the President), and Ali Abdul Latheef (a representative of lawyers).
Usham announced his resignation through a post on X, where he pointed out a stark difference in actions taken against judges under different governments. He claimed that during the former MDP administration, action was taken against judges 56 times, while under the current administration, it has only happened five times. He called this “clear evidence” of when judges faced the most pressure and influence.
However, the news portal Adhadhu has fact-checked Usham’s claims and found discrepancies. Adhadhu reported that Attorney General Ahmed Usham has lied about the number of suspended and demoted judges since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. In his X post on Friday, Usham said only three judges were suspended and accused the former administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of influencing the judiciary.
“Taking disciplinary action against judges in connection with what they say or decide in the courtroom was ended from November 2023,” Usham claimed. But according to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) website, five judges, including three Supreme Court Justices, have been suspended since late 2023. The judges suspended under this government are:
- Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood (February 26, 2025)
- Supreme Court Justice Azmiralda Zahir (February 26, 2025)
- Supreme Court Justice Mahaz Ali (February 26, 2025)
- Vaavu Fulidhoo Chief Magistrate Sheerin Nahidha Lateef (January 16, 2025)
- Alif Alif Ukulhas Chief Magistrate Ahmed Muawiath Qasim (November 28, 2024)
Usham also claimed that no judges have been demoted under the current government. However, Adhadhu revealed that Chief Magistrate Ali Adam of the Haa Dhaal Judicial region was demoted on November 20, 2023, and transferred to Kulhudhuffushi Magistrate Court. These findings contradict Usham’s statements, raising questions about the accuracy of his assertions.
This resignation comes at a tense time. Recently, a motion was filed with the Supreme Court accusing the Attorney General’s Office of contempt for allegedly violating a court order. This order is linked to a legal challenge over a controversial amendment to the Constitution that adds anti-defection rules, which aim to stop elected officials from switching political parties.
Adding to the drama, the JSC suspended three Supreme Court justices—Husnu al-Suood, Azmiralda Zahir, and Mahaz Ali—less than an hour before a scheduled court hearing on February 26th.
The hearing was about a request to block the enforcement of these anti-defection rules. Husnu al-Suood resigned soon after and sent a letter to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, making serious accusations. He claimed the government has been pressuring the Supreme Court ever since it took up the case challenging the amendment.
Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, still under suspension, also spoke out through her legal team. She accused the government of trying to influence her by using a case against her husband as leverage.
The situation has sparked concerns about the independence of judges in the Maldives and whether the government is trying to control the courts.
