Former Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has announced that he has been given a new position after retiring as the head of the Judiciary.
Giving his final word on Thursday, Mutunga stated that the Commonwealth Secretary General Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland had appointed him Special Envoy to Maldives to aid in Constitutional and Political transition.
"The overarching mandate is to support a sustainable political dialogue process leading to a stronger climate of pluralism and inclusive elections in 2018, and to encourage the strengthening of democratic institutions and culture in Maldives," he indicated.
Speaking during his handover ceremony, Mutunga expressed that he was happy with his five-year period in office, adding that his retirement was not the end of the Judiciary.
During the short ceremony, Mutunga announced that Supreme Court Judge Mohamed Ibrahim would serve as the acting CJ before a new President of the Supreme Court is officially appointed.
Dr Mutunga voluntarily handed over the instruments of power to Justice Ibrahim after five years at the helm of the highest court in the land. During Mutunga's tenure, major changes were effected in a bid to improve efficiency in the administration of justice.
Despite handing over the official emblems of power including a flag and the Chief Justice vehicle number plate, Mutunga will be entitled to his security detail for the next five years.
The former President of the Supreme Court declared that he chose to retire a year before the end of his term to avoid a constitutional backlash next year when the country will be facing heightened political activity.
Mutunga left office after delivering a ruling on a crucial case in which Deputy CJ Kalpana Rawal and suspended Judge Philip Tunoi were challenging a Court of Appeal decision to have them retire at the age of 70 years.
Delivering the decision, the Chamber decided that it would not overrule the Court of Appeal Judgement since two Supreme Court Judges had withdrawn from the retirement case. The Supreme Court, therefore, dismissed Rawal and Tunoi's appeal citing lack of quorum.
