The Maldives Parliament’s Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved the appointment of High Court Justice Hussain Shaheed to the Supreme Court.

Justice Shaheed’s name was presented to Parliament by the President following a recommendation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which had shortlisted Shaheed, former Deputy Prosecutor General Mariyam Nihayath, and lawyer Rusdullah Ibrahim for the position.

During the committee meeting, Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid highlighted that Shaheed had already undergone a thorough review by the JSC, and therefore no further assessment was required.

JusticeHussain Shaheed holds a degree in Jurisprudence and Law from Al-Azhar University in Egypt and a Master’s in Islamic Judicial Science and Sharia Policy from the Islamic University of Maldives. His judicial career includes roles as Magistrate of Addu City Feydhoo Magistrate’s Court, Chief Magistrate of Hulhudhoo Magistrate’s Court, Judge at the Criminal Court, and High Court Judge, a position he was appointed to in 2018. He was appointed Chief Judge of the High Court in October 2023.

The vacancy for the Supreme Court judge position was created after the resignation of Justice Husnu Suood, who stepped down following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The current Supreme Court bench includes Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan and Justices Azmiralda Zahir, Aisha Shujoon Mohamed, Mahaz Ali Zahir, Ali Rasheed Hussain, and Dr Mohamed Ibrahim, though Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz are under suspension due to an ongoing investigation.

Justice Shaheed’s appointment would complete the seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, ensuring the continued functioning of the country’s highest court.