Usham accuses former SC judge Husnu Suood of influencing judiciary

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has accused former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood of exerting undue influence over the judiciary and individual judges during his time on the bench.

The accusation comes in response to Suood’s recent resignation, which followed the suspension of three Supreme Court judges. In his resignation letter, Suood alleged that the government had attempted to intimidate the judiciary.

Speaking at the Ahaa Forum last night, Usham denied any government interference in judicial affairs and instead turned the allegations back on Suood.

"I have not done anything to influence Supreme Court judges. If anyone has attempted it, it is him," Usham said.

Usham described Suood as a political figure who often spoke in political terms, and while he initially refrained from addressing Suood's claims directly, he went on to assert that Suood had indeed sought to influence judicial decisions.

According to Usham, Suood had sent messages to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu through intermediaries and engaged in conversations that suggested this.

"In fact, he would have influenced the judiciary. He would have influenced the Supreme Court judges," Usham said.

He added that if an investigation were to be launched, the evidence would show Suood’s accountability.

Suood and two other Supreme Court judges had been suspended just minutes before a scheduled hearing on a constitutional amendment that could potentially make members of Parliament lose their seat if they switch parties.

Suood's resignation followed his suspension, in relation to an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) probe. At the time of his resignation, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) was also investigating Suood for allegedly summoning a High Court registrar and speaking to him in a demeaning manner.