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A official complaint has been submitted to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) requesting an investigation into claims that Criminal Court Judge Sofwath Habib accepted an MVR 800,000 bribe to acquit President Mohamed Muizzu in the Noomadi trial. The bribery allegations were publicly raised by former Police Commissioner Hussain Waheed during a recent political rally.
News Desk
Criminal Court Judge Sofwath Habib --
A formal complaint has been lodged with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) requesting a disciplinary probe into Criminal Court Judge Sofwath Habib following public allegations of bribery in the trial of President Mohamed Muizzu.
The complaint, submitted through the JSC’s online public portal, calls for an immediate investigation to determine the truth behind recent claims that the judge accepted funds in exchange for a favorable verdict.
Original Contract: Noomadi Resorts and Residences was contracted during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration to construct housing units in several atolls.
Termination & Arbitration: The contract was later terminated while Dr. Mohamed Muizzu served as Housing Minister. Following arbitration proceedings filed by Noomadi, the Maldivian government paid $55 million in an out-of-court settlement.
Perjury Charges: State prosecutors filed charges against Muizzu (then serving as Male’ Mayor), alleging he made false statements supporting Noomadi against the state during international arbitration.
Court Acquittal (May 18, 2023): Judge Sofwath Habib ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the submitted arbitration statement actually originated from Muizzu.
The allegations came to light during a public rally hosted by the People’s National Front (PNF) last Sunday, where former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed claimed that bribery influenced the outcome:
Claimed Bribe Amount: MVR 800,000.
Source of Allegation: Waheed stated that one of the defense attorneys representing Muizzu at the time admitted to paying the judge to secure the dismissal of charges.
Oath Statement: Waheed declared he is willing to swear on the Holy Quran to verify the accuracy of his claims.
The complaint lodged with the judicial watchdog highlights several points regarding judicial integrity and public accountability:
Conduct Violations: Soliciting or accepting bribes constitutes a serious criminal offense and a fundamental violation of the judicial code of conduct.
Public Trust: In a democratic society, serious allegations against sitting judges must be investigated transparently to maintain confidence in the legal system.
Clearance or Accountability: A formal probe is essential to either hold those involved accountable if wrongdoing occurred, or to fully clear the judge’s reputation if the claims are baseless.
Responsible Speech: The complaint notes that former high-ranking state officials should not be permitted to make unverified accusations that damage judicial credibility without facing scrutiny.
