Judge Shakeel cuts leave short, schedules hearing in Yameen case abruptly

Senior Judge of Criminal Court, Ahmed Shakeel returns to work after cutting his leave short and has scheduled an abrupt hearing in former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom’s case.

President Yameen was charged with money laundering and charges of accepting bribery.

The hearing is scheduled for the 5th of September, where the court will hear the testimonies of former Vice President Mohamed Adeeb and former Managing Director of MMPRC, Abdulla Ziyath, who were both involved in the MMPRC scandal of 2020.

The most recent hearing scheduled for this case on 30th August was canceled on short notice. Judge Shakeel then went on to take a family responsibility leave which was expected to end on the 6th of September. However, it remains unclear as to why he decided to return to work prior to that date.

TMJ has learnt that the signature on the summons received by the defendant belonged to Judge Hassan Saeed and it was issued upon Judge Shakeel’s request.

The cancellation of last week’s hearing had resulted in criticism and pressure to Judge Shakeel from the leaders of the ruling party, MDP.