The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to recommend the appointment of High Court Senior Judge Hussain Shaheed to the Supreme Court, a significant step towards filling a vacancy on the nation's highest judicial body.
The vacancy emerged in the wake of Justice Husnu Al Suood’s resignation, which followed an investigation by authorities into allegations of corruption. In response, the JSC launched two rounds of applications to identify a candidate for the position.
Judge Shaheed was one of two candidates considered for the role, alongside Mariyam Nihayath, a former civil court judge and deputy prosecutor general. Following interviews with both applicants, PSM News has learnt that the commission selected Judge Shaheed as its nominee to be submitted to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. As per procedure, the president will now refer the recommendation to parliament for its consideration.
Judge Shaheed is a prominent figure in the Maldivian judiciary, with a distinguished academic and professional record. He pursued studies in law and Islamic Shariah at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and the Kulliyyath al-Dhiraasath al-Islamiyya in the Maldives. He later earned a master’s degree in Islamic judicial science and Shariah policy from the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM).
Throughout his career, Judge Shaheed has held several notable positions. He has served as the magistrate of Feydhoo Magistrate Court in Addu City, the senior magistrate of Holhudhoo Magistrate Court in Noonu Atoll, and a judge at the Criminal Court. Appointed to the High Court in 2018, he was later named Acting Senior Judge on 18 November 2022, before being formally designated as Senior Judge on 30 October 2023.
The Supreme Court bench currently comprises seven members, including Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan and Justices Dr Azmiralda Zahir, Aisha Shujune Muhammad, Mahaz Ali Zahir, Ali Rasheed Hussain, and Dr Mohamed Ibrahim. However, Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Ali Zahir are presently under suspension as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigates allegations of misconduct.