Supreme Court Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir has requested the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to grant her the opportunity to speak in a public hearing before the Commission reaches a decision on the disciplinary case which the Commission reviewed against her.
The review of the case has been completed, and the disciplinary committee recommended the dismissal of Azmiralda.
Azmiralda, via a letter to JSC, has underscored the importance of letting her voice be heard before the Commission reaches a final decision regarding her case. As such, she has appealed for the opportunity to present her arguments regarding the Commission’s investigative report alongside her legal representative.
She also requested to hold a public hearing for the purpose.
Azmiralda also requested Commission members Yazmeedh Mohamed, Mohamed Nasih, Ali Abdul Latheef and Attorney General Ahmed Usham be barred from any due process with respect to the investigative report.
JSC suspended three Supreme Court justices on February 26th – Husnu Al-Suood, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir – citing criminal investigations against them by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Suood subsequently resigned as JSC investigated disciplinary cases against the three justices.
Notably, the justices were suspended as the court reviewed a case challenging a contentious amendment to the Constitution that added anti-defection clauses. The controversial amendment added three more circumstances where parliamentarians will lose their seat, including if they are expelled from their political party.
On the same day the justices were suspended, a ruling PNC-dominated Parliament passed a contentious amendment to the Judicature Act to downsize the Supreme Court bench from seven to five justices. However, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has sent the bill back to Parliament for reconsideration. The Parliament has again sent the bill to Judiciary Committee for amendments despite calls from the opposition as well as from within PNC itself to reject the bill.
Azmiralda is accused of allegedly attempting to coerce Criminal Court judges regarding her husband, Dr. Ismail Latheef’s criminal case, who was arrested last December.
Her legal representative, Ibrahim Shameel has stated that allegations against Azmiralda were shifted post-investigation and that the investigation was procedurally unlawful and beyond the scope of the law.