The Judicial Service Commission, on Wednesday, decided on suspending Criminal Court Judge Ibrahim Ali and requesting Parliament approval for his dismissal.
In a statement released by JSC, the decision was made over the judge’s delay in delivering a new verdict in the case of releasing 10 suspects charged with assault by sharp objects, following the High Court’s order to review the Criminal Court’s initial ruling.
According to the judicial watchdog, Judge Ibrahim Ali had deliberately delayed the case, even when the Prosecutor General’s Office wrote letters requesting to expedite the case.
He finally announced the verdict after the High Court intervened with a letter demanding action.
JSC’s statement also noted that the judge had spoken in a manner which encouraged the suspects receiving charges, on the day of the final verdict, in addition to using phrases which comprehended that he was only remanding the suspects due to High Court’s order.
Therefore, JSC noted that his dismissal was submitted for Parliamentary approval and he was suspended for 60 days to ensure trust in the judiciary.
Three other cases concerning the same judge are currently under investigation at JSC as well.
Prior to this, JSC had sought Parliamentary approval to sack multiple judges over allegations of misconduct. However, most of them resigned before the voting took place.