Statistics released by the Attorney General indicate that the highest level of influence on the judiciary occurred during the last presidential term. The Attorney General provided insights into the actions taken by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) against judges since November 2018.
The data shows that from November 2018 to the end of November 2023, a total of 56 actions were recorded, which included the dismissal of 8 judges, suspension of 12 judges, demotion of 3 judges, and disciplinary advice issued to 33 judges.
In contrast, from November 2023 to February of this year, only five instances of measures taken against judges were noted, consisting of three suspensions and two cases where judges received disciplinary advice.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham pointed out that these statistics clearly illustrate the peak period of judicial influence over the past six years. He also mentioned that since November 2023, the practice of disciplining judges for their statements or decisions made in court has ceased.
These figures come in response to opposition claims that the current government is exerting excessive influence over the judiciary. These allegations arose after Parliament passed an amendment to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices from seven to five, an amendment introduced by Abdul Sattar Mohamed, the MP for Holhudhoo. Although the amendment has been approved, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has yet to ratify it.
The composition of the Supreme Court has changed over the years. Initially, it consisted of five justices, which increased to seven with the establishment of the permanent Supreme Court in 2010.
The number was reduced back to five in 2014 during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, only to rise to seven again under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Despite the opposition’s claims, the government maintains that it will not permit any interference in the judicial system.
