JSC recommends Abdul Ghanee Mohamed for Chief Justice post

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to recommend Abdul Ghanee Mohamed—President of the Tax Appeal Tribunal and former Supreme Court Justice—for appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Ghanee was chosen after interviews were held today with the three candidates: Ghanee, former High Court Chief Judge Shujau Usman, and former Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdullah Mohamed.

Sources say the candidates were graded during the interview process, with Ghanee receiving the highest marks and a "Highly Recommended" rating. Abdullah was marked as "Recommended," while Shujau ranked third.

The JSC will officially send its recommendation to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu tomorrow. The President will then forward the nomination to Parliament, deciding the order of priority.

The Chief Justice seat became vacant after Ahmed Muthasim Adnan retired last month.

Ghanee has a long judicial history, having served in the Civil Court, High Court, and Supreme Court. He was removed by Parliament in 2019 but later appointed to the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

Shujau resigned as High Court Chief Justice in 2020 after facing impeachment. Abdullah Mohamed previously served as a Family Court Judge and Chief Judge of the Criminal Court.