Pres. appoints Mujthaz to JSC as CSC’s president

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Tuesday, has appointed Civil Service Commission (CSC)’s president Uz. Mohamed Mujthaz to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Mujthaz was appointed to the post during a ceremony held at the President’s Office on Tuesday.

Mujtha was sworn-in as a JSC member by Supreme Court Justice Mohamed Saleem.

Following this, President Muizzu presented the letter of appointment to Mujthaz upon which he signed it.

Mujthaz was appointed to JSC in his capacity as the president of CSC: a post he was appointed to earlier Tuesday. Prior to this, he had been serving as CSC’s vice president.

JSC is currently composed of:

• Parliament speaker
• A representative from the Parliament
• A representative of the President
• A Supreme Court justice
• A High Court judge
• A lower court judge
• A representative of the general public approved by Parliament
• Civil Service Commission’s President
• Attorney General

JSC, the governing body of the courts, has faced strong accusations of political influence. Consequently, efforts have been underway for years to reform its composition.

The Commission was most recently accused of political influence over the suspension of three Supreme Court justices – Husnu al-Suood, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir – as the court reviewed controversial anti-defection clauses that were written into the Constitution last year.

According to the Commission, the trio were suspended due to ongoing criminal investigations against them. While Suood resigned, Azmiralda and Mahaz were dismissed by the Parliament based on JSC’s recommendation.

The Commission had come under fire from both local and international organizations over its decision to push for the dismissal of the Supreme Court justices.