Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has initiated legal proceedings at the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania, aiming to challenge a ruling that bars him and his law firm’s employees from representing clients before the Supreme Court of Kenya.
According to documents seen by Sharp Daily, Ahmednasir, representing the Government of Kenya, has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, asserting that the decision made by the court led by Justice Martha Koome violates his rights to fair administrative action, access to justice, and a fair trial.
In addition, Ahmednasir alleges that the State has infringed upon his universally recognized fundamental right to work. As a result, he seeks an order from the East African Court of Justice to overturn the ruling of the Nairobi apex court.
“An order directing the Respondent State to reverse the pronouncement made by its apex court on 18th January 2024 banning the Applicant from seeking audience before the Supreme Court of Kenya including the employees of the Applicant’s law firm, anyone holding brief for the Applicant or any other person acting under his instructions,” the document read in part.
Moreover, Ahmednasir requests the court to award him damages totaling Ksh.200 million, representing legal fees forfeited due to the ban imposed by the Supreme Court.
In January of this year, the Supreme Court of Kenya ruled that Ahmednasir would be prohibited from appearing before the court, citing consistent derogatory remarks made by the senior counsel against the court and its judges across various media platforms.
In a sternly worded letter drafted by Registrar L.M. Wachira, the Supreme Court further barred employees of Ahmednasir’s law firm from litigating cases before the court, acknowledging the potential impact on the advocate’s client base and their respective legal matters.
