The Justice Building Annex in Hulhumalé has been inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Located near Treetop Hospital in Hulhumalé Phase 1, the annex will accommodate both the Criminal Court and the Drug Court.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief Judicial Administrator Amjad Musthafa, Attorney General Ahmed Usham and Judicial Service Commission President Hussain Riza. Former Chief Justice Muthasim Adnan, who has since retired, was also present. During the event, President Dr Muizzu received a memento from the Chief Judicial Administrator on behalf of the Department of Judicial Administration.

The Justice Building Annex comprises 15 courtrooms and will be staffed by 17 judges, including five from the Criminal Court and 12 from the Drug Court. A dedicated bureau for judges has been established, with further administrative sections planned. Special rooms have been allocated for state prosecutors and defence lawyers, and the building includes facilities to ensure efficient trial proceedings.

The first trial at the annex is scheduled for 4.30 p.m. and will involve a case related to house arrest.

Construction of the Justice Building Annex was undertaken by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to ease space constraints previously faced by the Criminal Court and the Drug Court.

In his presidential address earlier this year, President Dr Muizzu identified delays in hearings and verdicts as one of the most significant challenges in the country’s criminal justice system. He announced that work on a new Superior Court Complex in Hulhumalé will begin this year to address these issues and provide additional judicial capacity.