Supreme Court Lifts Lifetime Ban on Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi

The Supreme Court of Kenya has lifted the lifetime ban on Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi and his law firm, restoring their right to appear before the country’s highest court.

The decision was delivered on Friday, 23 January, ending a year-long restriction that barred Ahmednasir and all advocates associated with his firm from practising before the Supreme Court. The judges ruled that the sanction had served its purpose and that assurances had been given regarding future conduct.

In its ruling, the court said that Ahmednasir, members of his firm, and anyone acting on his instructions may resume practice before the Supreme Court with immediate effect. The bench noted that the advocate had been given sufficient time to reflect on his conduct and to reconsider his engagement with the court going forward.

The ban was imposed in January 2024 following what the court described as sustained public attacks on the judiciary and individual judges. At the time, Chief Justice Martha Koome cited repeated allegations of corruption and incompetence made by Ahmednasir through mainstream and social media platforms as the basis for the unprecedented order.

The decision attracted criticism from sections of the legal profession. The Law Society of Kenya described the ban as unconstitutional, arguing that it interfered with the right of litigants to legal representation of their choice. The society cautioned that such measures could undermine confidence in the judiciary by appearing to suppress criticism rather than address underlying concerns.

Ahmednasir publicly rejected the sanction, referring to it as a “badge of honour” and indicating his intention to challenge it at the East African Court of Justice. In lifting the ban, the Supreme Court emphasised the importance of respectful engagement by advocates while reaffirming access to justice and the inclusive nature of the judicial process. 

The reinstatement allows Ahmednasir to resume practice before the apex court and marks the formal conclusion of the dispute.