Senior Counsel PLO Lumumba recently addressed a letter to Chief Justice Martha Koome, urging her to reconsider the Supreme Court’s ban on Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi and advocates from his law firm. The decision, which has stirred public debate, was described by Lumumba as extreme and detrimental to Ahmednasir’s legal practice and livelihood.
Lumumba emphasized the importance of affording Ahmednasir a chance to defend himself, arguing that due legal process must prevail in any disciplinary action. He expressed concern over the unprecedented nature of the punishment, which effectively denies a seasoned advocate access to the country’s highest court.
The controversy stems from accusations that Ahmednasir had consistently criticized and undermined the credibility of the Supreme Court through various media platforms. The court’s decision, handed down on January 18, 2024, barred him and his legal team from appearing before the bench. This restriction was further reinforced on January 22 when an advocate from Ahmednasir’s firm was denied an audience in court, prompting widespread reactions.
Lumumba urged CJ Koome and her colleagues to revisit their decision and reverse the ban to safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s legal profession and uphold the rule of law. He noted that criticism, even when outspoken, should not warrant such severe measures.
In response to the ban, 13 advocates from Ahmednasir’s law firm have joined a petition seeking the removal of all seven Supreme Court judges, fueling an ongoing legal standoff. The unfolding situation has sparked debates on judicial independence, freedom of speech, and the rights of legal practitioners in Kenya.
By Newsmedia