News Desk
Three newly appointed judges to the High Court and the Criminal Court were sworn in on Sunday night, after the Judicial Service Commission acted earlier in the week to fill longstanding vacancies.
At a ceremony held at the Supreme Court, Justice Abdullah Hameed administered the oath to Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, a former High Court judge, and Ismail Shafiu, who previously served on the Criminal Court. The JSC had approved their appointments during a meeting on Monday.
The vacancy at the Criminal Court was filled by Ahmed Niaz, formerly the chief magistrate of the Kalaidhoo Magistrate Court.
Rauf’s return to the bench marks a notable turn in a career that has attracted public scrutiny. He resigned from the High Court in 2022 after the JSC moved to dismiss him for accepting a government-issued flat during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen. Since leaving the judiciary, he has remained active in public life, standing for the Keyodhoo constituency, his home island, under the ruling People’s National Congress.
Rauf previously served on the High Court from 2011 to 2022 and holds a Bachelor of Laws from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. His legal career has included roles as senior legal counsel at Maldives Ports Limited, legal assistant at the Attorney General’s Office, and legal counsel at the State Trading Organisation, among other posts.
Shafiu, who served as a Criminal Court judge until his elevation, has more than seven years’ judicial experience and holds a law degree from Cardiff University. Before joining the bench, he worked as a public prosecutor at the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Niaz, who now joins the Criminal Court, brings more than a decade of judicial experience and holds a Bachelor of Laws from Villa College. He had served as senior magistrate on Kalaidhoo island since his appointment in 2011.
