Maamendhoo chief magistrate Shukoor suspended

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has made the decision to suspend A. A. Maamendhoo Magistrate Court’s chief magistrate Ahmed Shukoor, who is under investigation by the commission following allegations of misconduct.

The decision was made during the commission’s meeting this Wednesday.

JSC said in a statement that Magistrate Ahmed Shukoor has been removed from his duties as a judge for 60 days as it investigates the allegations of misconduct against him under Article 25 (m) and (n) of Judicial Service Commission Act.

One of the allegations against him is that he met with the defendant in a criminal case lodged with the court in April 2018 in G. A. Vilingili.

The second allegation is that he took part in a political event to campaign for a presidential candidate who competed in presidential elections of 2018 which was held in Seenaage in G. A. Vilingili in September 2018.

The third allegation is that he told suspects arrested on terrorism allegations from G. A. Kolamaafushi presented to the G. A. Vilingili Magistrate Court for their remand hearing in August 2019 that he will “also issue 15 days the next time you are brought here”.

The fourth and final allegation is that he asked a person at a café in G. A. Vilingili, also in August 2018, “Can we get some votes for our side?”, and expressed his support towards a specific political movement.

JSC said that the commission will be taking statements from Magistrate Ahmed Shukoor in its investigation into the allegations.

The commission has also made the decision to suspend High Court’s chief judge Shujau Usman, who is also under investigation following allegations of misconduct. His duties as the chief judge have been taken over by Judge Shuaib Hussain Zakariyya.