The police on Wednesday arrested the education ministry’s senior policy executive, Ibrahim Haneef over allegations of conspiring to assassinate the appellate court judge Shujau Usman.
‘Avas’ understands that a group of people were allegedly paid to assassinate judge Shujau.
‘Avas’ acquired an audio clip of a discussion among unidentifiable people about plans to assassinate judge Shujau. A reward of MVR400,000 was offered, if the plan was executed.
While the voices are unidentifiable on the audio clip, one individual fully acknowledges that it was his plan, and goes on to say that the “mission is on” after he pays a 50 per cent advance to the hit men.
The police has since confirmed that an investigation was underway but did not divulge any further information. The police declined to comment when asked if any arrests have been made regarding the case either.
However, sources have confirmed that an arrest was made regarding the case – and that it was education ministry’s Haneef. Further, Haneef will be summoned to the criminal court sometime on Wednesday for his remand hearing.
Judge Shujau was presiding on the appellate court’s Male division before – however, in a judicial reshuffle, he was transferred to the court’s southern division in Addu City.
Since then, the judicial watchdog has announced the vacancy for Judge Shujau’s replacement on the Male division’s appellate court’s bench.
Recently, the judge was even brought to Male under the protection of the police over the alleged assignation attempt for protective custody.
