JSC to Reappoint Rauf to High Court, Reviving Scrutiny Over Past Resignation and PNC Political Bid

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to reappoint former High Court judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim to the High Court, a move that revives controversy surrounding his 2022 resignation amid disciplinary proceedings and his subsequent entry into politics on the ticket of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Rauf resigned in May 2022 after the JSC sent his case to the People’s Majlis for possible dismissal over a flat he accepted during the administration of former president Abdullah Yameen.

The JSC also decided to appoint Ismail Shafeeu, a sitting judge at the Criminal Court, to the remaining High Court vacancy. The two posts drew 19 applicants, according to details shared about the decision.

The High Court vacancies arose following the retirement of the court’s oldest judge, Mohammed Niaz, and the resignation of Mohammed Faisal amid a JSC investigation.

Rauf had previously been put forward for appointment to the Supreme Court in 2019 by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, though the JSC was still examining cases concerning him at the time. He was also a member of the commission and resigned from that post to contest the Supreme Court vacancy. The commission later decided to advise against the appointment of Rauf.

After leaving the High Court, Rauf entered politics and contested the Keyodhoo constituency seat on the ticket of the People’s National Congress.

In a separate decision, the JSC appointed Ahmed Niaz, chief magistrate of the Kalaidhoo Magistrate Court, to the Criminal Court. That vacancy arose after the dismissal of Hussain Faiz Rashad for violating judicial ethics.