Judges summoned again to Committee

The three Judges presiding over the trial against former President Mohamed Nasheed have been summoned again to Parliament’s Government Oversight Committee.

The Committee has summoned the Judges on two previous occasions.

Committee member and Kulhudhuffushi-uthuru MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa told Sun Online that the Judges have been summoned to the Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow. He did not mention the time the meeting will take place.

Abdul Gafoor said that this time, the summon notifications were sent to the respective Courts of the Judges, instead of to Hulhumale’ Court.

“They gave all kinds of excuses to evade our previous summons, such as they are Judges of some other Court, not Hulhumale’ Court. Those kinds of silly excuses,” he said.

He said that the Judges’ names, Courts, and ID card numbers have been included in the summon notification.

Abdul Gafoor said that if the Judges still refuse to attend the Committee, action will be taken against them.

The three Judges presiding over Nasheed’s trial are Chief Magistrate of Aa. Atoll Abdullah Nasir Abdul Raheem, Chief Magistrate of Ga. Atoll Shujau Usman and Chief Magistrate of Adh. Atoll Hussain Mazeed.

Abdul Gafoor said that even though the Supreme Court and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had said that Judges cannot be summoned to Parliament Committees, Parliament Committees have the authority to summon any citizen.

“Supreme Court said that in a cowardly manner. If they have any courage at all, why don’t they issue an order endorsed by all seven Judges? I don’t think they would dare do that,” he said.

Members of Parliament and judicial sector officials differ in opinions on the issue of Judges being summoned the Parliament Committees.

Moreover, while Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Shahid summoned the Judges to the Committee, Parliament Counsel General had advised the Speaker that Judges cannot be summoned to Parliament Committees.

A statement issued by the Parliament Office in defence of Shahid’s decision said that the Constitution allows Parliament Committees to ‘summon any person to appear before it to give evidence under oath, or to produce documents.’

Meanwhile, Supreme Court and Judicial Service Commission have issued statements indicating that various groups cannot hold Judges accountable. Article 141(c) of the Constitution also stipulates, ‘No officials performing public functions, or any other persons, shall interfere with and influence the functions of the courts.’