Supreme Court lifts two-year ban on lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi

Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has won a significant legal victory after the Supreme Court of Kenya cleared him to appear and practice before the country’s highest court following a two-year ban.

The ruling, delivered by Chief Justice Martha Koome, comes after an application by Ahmednasir’s legal team, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite and Fred Ngatia, requesting the vacation of a 2024 suo motu order that had barred him, his law firm, or anyone acting on his instructions from appearing before the Supreme Court.

The original order, issued on January 23, 2024, followed concerns over comments made by Ahmednasir that were deemed offensive to the integrity and dignity of the Supreme Court.

At the time, six justices, excluding Chief Justice Koome, recused themselves from hearing cases involving him.

In their application, Senior Counsel Muite and Ngatia argued that the two-year period since the order had served its corrective purpose.

They assured the court that Ahmednasir had reflected on his conduct and would henceforth engage with court processes respectfully and professionally.

During the hearing, Ben Mosota, representing Ahmednasir Abdullahi Advocates LLP, said the lessons from the earlier order had been learned, and the Senior Counsel had shown genuine remorse.

He added that the relationship between the bench and the bar should be custodial rather than adversarial, with both sides working to uphold the law.

The court acknowledged the passage of two years and the assurances given, ruling that Ahmednasir, his firm, and anyone acting on his instructions may now appear before the Supreme Court in ongoing and future proceedings.

However, the court clarified that the original 2024 order, issued in separate proceedings, would remain in place in those concluded matters.

CJ Koome emphasised that the original sanction was issued to protect the authority and dignity of the Supreme Court, but noted that Ahmednasir had had sufficient time to introspect.

“This ruling restores the right of Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi to appear before the Supreme Court, reinforcing the principle that while the court protects its authority, it also allows for rehabilitation and professional reflection,” the judgment read.

The decision marks a high-profile win for one of Kenya’s most prominent lawyers, signalling his return to the Supreme Court bar after a period of professional restriction.