NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 23 -The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, upheld its directive from last week, permanently prohibiting City lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi from making submissions in ongoing legal proceedings.
The apex court, led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, enforced the decision during a virtual hearing in a legal dispute involving Abdullahi’s client and the late former President Daniel Moi.
Abdullahi confirmed that he was not part of the Supreme Court proceedings in the Sh2 billion land case.
“I joined the Supreme Court proceedings on the “sidelines” this morning,” Abdullahi said in a statement.
However, Abdullahi, in a statement, expressed gratitude to CJ Koome for allowing his clients time to engage another lawyer and for prioritizing the hearing of the consolidated appeal, considering the illness of his client, Mama Cherubet Chelugui.
The ban on Abdullahi, issued on January 18 and signed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, L. Wachira, was endorsed by the full bench of the apex court.
The ban extends to associates in Abdullahi’s law firm, preventing them from representing clients before the Supreme Court.
“In view of the foregoing, it is the decision of this Court, that henceforth and from the date of this Communication, you shall have no audience before the Court, either by yourself, through an employee of your law firm, or any other person holding brief for you, or acting pursuant to your instructions. Much as this decision is bound to affect those who may have instructed you to represent them before the Court, it is untenable that you would seek justice in the very institution and before the very Judges, whose reputation and integrity you never tire of assaulting,” the Supreme Court Registrar wrote in the letter to the Senior Counsel.
The court accuses Ahmednasir of conducting a campaign on print, electronic, and social media while scandalizing the court.
The Supreme Court said it took the decision due to the Senior Counsel’s attacks which seek to destroy the individual judges’ reputation.
“This, you have done with reckless abandon, paying scant regard to the reputations of those who tirelessly serve on the Court in accordance with their Oath of Office,” it said.
In response, Abdullahi announced his intention to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision at the East African Court of Justice.
He reiterated his stance on the judiciary, claiming corruption and expressing his lack of faith in the Apex court.
“I have instructed my lawyers to file a petition in the East African Court of Justice at Arusha to seek legal redress against KOOME’s judicial skullduggery and niggling shenanigans. I will not waste time in going to KOOME’s CORRUPT COURT!” he stated.
Abdullahi has received support from colleagues in the legal profession including James Orengo who said the ban by the Supreme Court is arbitrary.
Law Society of Kenya President Eric Theuri described the ban is ‘illegal, irregular and paints the Court as a purveyor of injustice.
Advocate’s lobby group called on the Apex Court to retract Abdullahi’s expulsion and offer an apology to the advocate.
He however thanked CJ Koome for allowing his clients time to engage another lawyer and agreeing to prioritise the hearing of the consolidated appeal due to the illness of her client identified as Mama Cherubet Chelugui.
