President recommends Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi to Majlis as Chief Justice

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent his recommendation to the People’s Majlis to appoint Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi as Chief Justice.

Judicial Services Commission (JSC) advised the President to appoint Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi to the position of Chief Justice last Tuesday.

Yameen sent a letter to the Majlis this Wednesday, requesting that the Majlis make its decision on appointing Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi to the post.

Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2010.

Yameen has also requested the Majlis to make a decision on appointing High Court judges Abdulla Didi and Abdul Ghanee Mohamed to the two additional vacant seats at the Supreme Court.

The seats are vacant after two Supreme Court judges, former Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed were sentenced to prison for a criminal offense.

A recent amendment to the Judges Act disqualifies judges convicted of a criminal offense the moment Supreme Court upholds the conviction during the appeal process.

Abdulla Saeed and Ali Hameed have been found guilty of using their authority to exude undue influence in executing their duties. They await judgement on charges of terrorism, bribery, and obstruction of justice.