Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has been cleared to resume practice before the Supreme Court after the court lifted restrictions that had barred him from appearing before the country’s highest judicial forum.
In a ruling delivered by Chief Justice Martha Koome, the Supreme Court allowed an application filed on behalf of Ahmednasir seeking the setting aside of a suo motu order issued on January 23, 2024, which had barred him, his law firm, and anyone acting on his instructions from appearing before the court.
The restriction had been imposed following concerns over remarks attributed to Ahmednasir that the court found offensive and undermining to the dignity and integrity of the Supreme Court.
At the time, six judges of the Supreme Court, excluding Chief Justice Koome, had recused themselves from hearing matters involving him.
Ahmednasir’s application was argued by Senior Counsel Paul Muite and Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, who told the court the two-year restriction had served its corrective purpose.
They assured the bench that Ahmednasir had reflected on the events that prompted the sanction and would engage the court with respect and professionalism going forward.
During the hearing, counsel Omoso, appearing for Ahmednasir Abdullahi Advocates LLP, told the court that the senior counsel had learned from the earlier order and expressed genuine remorse.
He argued that the relationship between the bench and the bar should remain custodial rather than adversarial, with both sides working together to protect the administration of justice.
In allowing the application, the court ruled that Ahmednasir, his firm, and persons acting on his instructions may now appear before the Supreme Court in ongoing and future matters.
However, the judges clarified that the 2024 order would remain intact in relation to the proceedings in which it was originally issued.
Chief Justice Koome said the sanction had been necessary to protect the authority and dignity of the court, but noted that sufficient time had passed for introspection and professional correction.
The decision clears the way for Ahmednasir’s return to the Supreme Court bar, marking the end of a restriction that had kept one of Kenya’s most high-profile advocates away from the apex court.
