Bar Council Files Case Over Woman Impersonating Lawyer in Maldives
The Bar Council of the Maldives has filed a case against Fathimath Thooba Abdullah for allegedly impersonating a lawyer by using the name of the Judicial Administration and the Supreme Court logo.
The case came to light after Maldives Ports Limited requested verification of a lawyer’s license for Thooba, who is from Haveyli, L. Fonadhoo. Upon investigation, the Bar Council confirmed that she has never been licensed to practice law in the Maldives.
The documents presented by Thooba were found to be falsified. They were designed to resemble official licenses and included the Judicial Administration’s name and the Supreme Court’s logo. Further checks revealed that the signature on the document did not belong to any Supreme Court judge who was in service on the stated date.
Additional scrutiny showed that the license was dated September 20, 2020, and carried the signature of a retired Supreme Court judge, confirming that it was not genuine.
The Bar Council clarified that, according to the Legal Profession Act, only the Bar Council, which was established on June 27, 2019, has the authority to issue licenses to practice law in the Maldives. Thooba’s name does not appear on the Council’s official list of licensed lawyers.
The Council reminded the public that it is illegal for anyone who is not licensed to present themselves as a lawyer or offer legal services. They strongly advised citizens to avoid engaging with individuals who might provide legal assistance without proper credentials.
To prevent fraud, the Bar Council emphasized that the official list of licensed lawyers is publicly available on its website. Individuals seeking legal advice are encouraged to verify credentials before hiring or consulting a lawyer.
Fathimath Thooba Abdullah now faces legal proceedings for presenting herself as a licensed lawyer, an offense that carries serious consequences under Maldivian law.