Judges summoned to Committee in violation of mandate: Nihan

Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) member at the Parliament Committee on Government Accountability, Ahmed Nihan Hassan Manik has said that the three Judges appointed to preside over former President Mohamed Nasheed’s trial were summoned to the Committee in violation of the Committee’s mandate.

The Committee on Government Accountability, in which Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) holds majority, has summoned the three Judges to the Committee at 3:45pm tomorrow.

Committee member Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed said that the three Judges have been summoned for questioning on a matter related to the report of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), currently under investigation by the Committee.

Nihan told reporters today, that discussions cannot be held by Parliament Committees or at the Parliament floor, on ongoing Court trials.

“MDP says that they do not accept Hulhumale’ Court’s jurisdiction. Parliament Committees do not have the mandate to summon Judges in relation to this accusation. I think MDP members did this because they are emotionally charged,” he said.

Nihan said that the Government Accountability Committee held its meeting today while voting was ongoing at the Parliament; hence, members of PPM were late for the meeting.

He accused MDP members of purposefully holding the meeting while voting was ongoing at the Parliament, to pass this decision in their favour.

The Parliament Committee on Government Accountability is made up of, in addition to Nihan, Baarah MP Mohamed Shifaz, Dhiddhoo MP Ahmed Sameer, Hulhumeedhoo MP Ilyaz Labeeb, Mahchangolhi-dhekunu MP Mohamed Rasheed, Kulhudhuffushi-uthuru PM Abdul Gafoor Moosa, Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed, Fuvahmulah-medhu MP Shifag Mufeed, Funadhoo MP Ali Saleem, Maduvvari MP Visam Ali and Kurendhoo MP Ahmed Moosa.