Chief Judge of Criminal Court Ahmed Hailam has denied the case investigated by Judicial Service Commission against him will influence the ongoing trial of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Judge Hailam made the remarks over an issue raised by lawyers of the former president proposing to form a judge's bench to preside over the case instead of a single judge.
Judge Hailam said one concern of the lawyers was JSC investigating a case against him. However, with confidence, Judge Hailam stated only a single judge will be presiding cases at lower courts adding, the chief judge is given the authority to form a judge's bench.
Furthermore, commenting on the concern raised by lawyers regarding the live broadcasting of the hearings, he expressed the live broadcasting will not defame the defendant.
JSC decided to investigate a case filed against Hailam over complaints forwarded to the disciplinary committee.