JSC appoints Sukyan Omar Hassan as acting Chief Kadhi
The Commission said Sukyan Omar, who currently serves as Senior Principal Kadhi, will assume all the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Kadhi during the acting period of three months or until the position is filled.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed Sukyan Omar Hassan as the acting Chief Kadhi, effective August 6, 2025.
This follows the passing of the former Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Athman Abdul-Halim, who died on July 10, 2025.
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In a memo dated August 6, 2025, Judiciary Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya said the commission invoked Article 170 of the Constitution and Section 2 of the Kadhis Court Act to approve the acting appointment.
The Commission said Sukyan Omar, who currently serves as Senior Principal Kadhi, will assume all the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Kadhi during the acting period of three months or until the position is filled.
“The acting appointment is for a period of three months or until the position is substantially filled, whichever comes earlier,” reads the memo.
The Chief Registrar directed all judicial officers and staff to take note of the appointment.
Omar’s appointment ensures continuity in the Kadhis’ Court leadership during the transition period following the loss of Sheikh Athman.
Athman was appointed by the JSC in July 2023, from among five candidates shortlisted for the position.
He replaced Sheikh Ahmed Mudhar, who retired at the age of 60 after serving as the head of the country’s Kadhis’ courts for 12 years.
The Chief Kadhi is the overall leader of the Kadhi’s Courts, which handle matters related to Islamic personal law such as marriage, divorce and inheritance.
Kadhis’ Courts are established under Article 170 of the Constitution. Their jurisdiction is limited to the determination of questions of Muslim Law relating to personal status, marriage, divorce or inheritance in proceedings in which all the parties profess the Muslim Religion and submit to the jurisdiction of the Kadhis’ courts.
There are 14 stand-alone Kadhis’ courts, while the rest are located at various Magistrates' courts.
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