Action to be taken against Magistrate Nihan in connection to Yameen’s arrest warrant

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to take action against ADh. Maamigili Chief Magistrate Court’s Chief Magistrate Ahmed Nihan in connection to forging a warrant for the arrest of former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom

Though originally found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison in connection to the case by the Criminal Court, the sentence was overturned upon appeal by the High Court on November 21, 2018, citing violations of the due judicial and legal process.

In their judgment, High Court said that no attempts to kidnap or enforce Yameen’s disappearance had been established. They also cited the failure to link Nihan to such a scenario.

It further stated that documentary evidence submitted by the state, and the testimonies of witnesses do not prove that Nihaan forged such an arrest warrant.

In a statement released on Monday, JSC said that a report formulated following an investigation into a case submitted to the Commission regarding Nihan had been passed in the Commission’s convening held on last Wednesday.

The case concluded with the establishment that when a group of police officers, along with a civilian had gone to Maamgili Magistrate Court to obtain a warrant – Nihan had facilitated the opportunity for the civilian to also discuss the warrant.

As Nihan’s act violated Section 1.7 and Section 3.1 of the Judges Code of Conduct – JSC, under Article 31-1 (a) (1) of the Judicial Service Commission, decided to take action against him. This includes advising him, and mandating the completion of a training of the Commission’s choosing.

Former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin was also sentenced to 17 years in prison in connection with the same case, which was also overturned by the High Court.