19 apply for High Court judgeship including ex-judges Shujau and Rauf

19 individuals have applied for High Court judgeship including Shujau Usman, who has previously served as the Court’s chief judge, and Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, who has previously served as a judge in the Court for 10 years.

Two judges are being sought for High Court following the retirement of the longest-serving appellate court judge Mohamed Niyaz and the resignation of judge Mohamed Faisal.

Although the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has not released the names of applicants following the close of the application period, Sun has learned that a total of 19 individuals applied for the position, including Shujau and Rauf.

Rauf had served as a High Court judge for over 10 years. He resigned from the post after a disciplinary case was launched against him. After his resignation, Rauf contested in the last parliamentary election on ruling PNC’s ticket for Keyodhoo seat: an election he lost.

Meanwhile, Shujau, who previously served as the Chief Judge of the High Court, has applied each time judges’ vacancies were recently announced for both the High Court and Supreme Court. Shujau, who resigned after his dismissal was initiated over a disciplinary case proven against him, had also recently applied for the position of Chief Justice.

Other individuals who have applied for High Court judgeship include some former judges and judges currently serving in lower and magistrate courts.

Notably, JSC’s decision to appoint Mohamed Shaheed, who held a senior political position in the incumbent administration, as a High Court judge back in August triggered huge public backlash including a court case challenging his appointment. Subsequently, he withdrew his name.

Shaheed resigned as a deputy minister at the Home Ministry to apply for High Court judgeship. The vacancy was announced on the day he resigned.