RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah yesterday issued a number of royal decrees reshuffling the Supreme Judiciary Council and the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars (Ulema).
Sheikh Ghaihab bin Mohammed Al-Ghaihab has been appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court replacing Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Al-Keliyah, who has been relieved of the position upon his request, one decree said.
“Al-Ghaihab will have the rank of a minister,” the Saudi Press Agency said quoting the decree.
The Judiciary Council will be headed by the justice minister and its members include the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Other members of the Judiciary Council are: Sheikh Shafi Al-Haqbani, Sheikh Mubasher Al-Gharman, Sheikh Saud Al-Muejib, Sheikh Mohammed Mirdad (all full-time members with the rank of Chief of the Court of Appeals), the deputy justice minister, chairman of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Nessar, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohaimeed, and Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed.
“The term of office for the president and members of the Judiciary Council shall be four years that can be renewed effective from Jan. 15, 2013,” the decree said.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Yahya has been relieved of his position as secretary general of the Supreme Judiciary Council. He will be replaced by Sheikh Salman bin Mohammed Nashwan with the rank of Chief of the Court of Appeals.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh will remain as president of the Ulema Council, which includes Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan, Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan, and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh as members.
Other members of the 20-member Ulema council are: Sheikh Saleh Al-Hosain, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Turki, Sheikh Abdullah Manie, Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, Sheikh Ahmed Mubaraki, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Eissa, Sheikh Abdul Wahab Abu Sulaiman, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Khunain, Sheikh Yaqoub Al-Bahussein, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Keliyah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Asheikh, Sheikh Ali Hakami, Sheikh Abdul-Karim Al-Khudair, Sheikh Mohamed Al-Mukhtar Mohammed, Sheikh Qais Mubarak, and Sheikh Saad bin Turki Al-Khathlan.
With the exception of the president, the term of office of members shall be four years effective from Jan. 18, 2013.
King Abdullah appointed the following judges as members of the Supreme Court at the rank of Chief of Appeals Court, to replace the members appointed by the Royal Order No. (A / 8) dated on 19/2/1430AH: Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi, Sheikh Ahmed Hakami, Sheikh Abdullah Qassem, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Shaabi, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Hussein, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Mazroue, Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Hudaithi, Sheikh Abdul-Elah Al-Firyan, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Subaie.