The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has reopened the application process for the vacant position of Justice of the Supreme Court, following an earlier round that did not attract enough candidates.
This vacancy arose after Justice Husnu Al Suood resigned amidst an investigation by an investigative body over allegations of corruption. Consequently, the JSC initiated the application process for his replacement on 10 March.
Despite the initial application period closing at 11 a.m. on Thursday, the JSC revealed that only one nomination was received—Mariyam Nihayath, a former civil court judge and deputy prosecutor general.
Due to the lack of sufficient candidates, the JSC issued a statement announcing that the application process had been reopened. It clarified that the application submitted during the initial period would remain valid in the second round.
Applicants for the position of Supreme Court Justice must be over 30 years old and hold a first degree in Islamic Shariah, law, or a combination of both. Additionally, they must have at least seven years of experience as a lower court judge, lawyer, or both.
The current seven-member apex court bench includes Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad, Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, Justice Ali Rasheed Hussain, and Justice Dr Mohamed Ibrahim. However, Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Ali Zahir are currently under suspension, following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into allegations of corruption.