Chief Judge of the High Court Shujau Usman, on Monday, submitted his formal resignation.
The judge resigned in the wake of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)'s decision on August 22 to submit a motion to the parliament demanding his dismissal.
The judicial watchdog moved to dismiss Shujau after investigating allegations of participation in campaign activities ahead of the 2018 presidential election, while on an unofficial trip to Gemanafushi, Gaafu Alif Atoll. He was also accused of bribing a family with the release of an incarcerated relative in return for votes, over the same period.
In a statement refuting all of the aforementioned accusations, Judge Shujau stated that the current judiciary environment infringed on the freedom of individual judges and was not conducive to the implementation of fair and impartial justice.
He went on to raise several allegations against JSC, claiming its members had vindictive intentions and that the commission was being used as a tool to exert undue influence on judges.
In particular, Shujau criticized JSC's amendment of regulations to "narrow retirement opportunities for judges". Referring to the watchdog's decision to cut off privileges for judges that resign amid ongoing disciplinary probes, Shujau stated that he no longer had the option of retirement despite having served in the judiciary for several years.
Prior to the amendment in February, privileges were accorded to all judges that retired at the age of 55 or due to health reasons, in accordance with the Judges Act.
The former judge expressed dismay regarding JSC's decision to dismiss him, describing it as "intended to promote certain political interests" and based on "groundless accusations".
He also warned that his dismissal would pave the way for other judges to be similarly, easily removed from their posts without due reason.
On July 22, JSC suspended the judge for a two-month period, marking the first action taken since an investigation was launched in October 2019.
After commencing his career as a judge on December 19, 1996, Shujau has served as a magistrate and chief magistrate at the court of Vilingili in Gaaf Alif Atoll as well as a chief magistrate of the Alif Dhaal Atoll Court and a Criminal Court Judge.
Sign In
