Nairobi: The Judiciary has called upon the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to call for investigations into the conduct of Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, whom the institution alleges has consistently been disparaging the Judiciary.
According to Kenya News Agency, Judiciary Spokesperson Paul Ndemo stated that Ahmednasir's sensational allegations of judicial corruption, relentlessly shared through social media posts over recent months, have also been disparaging to the Judiciary leader and judges. Ndemo emphasized that Ahmednasir has made these allegations without naming specific judges or filing a formal complaint with evidence to the Judicial Service Commission or other law enforcement agencies.
'We therefore reiterate our call to the Director of Public Prosecutions to take appropriate action within his constitutional mandate,' urged the Spokesperson. Ndemo, who was issuing a press statement at the Supreme Court Building on Tuesday, reiterated the judiciary's openness to scrutiny and willingness to be held accountable, saying that the institution has consistently urged individuals with credible complaints of misconduct to present them for processing through appropriate channels.
Despite these calls, Senior Counsel Ahmednasir has resorted to a campaign to disparage the Judiciary, its leadership, and senior judges without making any formal complaint, leading the Judiciary to conclude that he does not have any credible information. Ndemo remarked that Ahmednasir is merely besmirching the reputation of the Judiciary and its leadership for his own undisclosed ends.
Ndemo described Ahmednasir's conduct as unbecoming and unprofessional for an advocate with the status of senior counsel. Furthermore, he noted that such behavior potentially erodes public confidence in the Judiciary, undermining the rule of law which is one of the ideals upon which the country's constitutional democracy is founded.
Ndemo stressed that while the judiciary respects the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, there are limits to this freedom, and it cannot be abused in a manner that stokes public mistrust in the judicial system; hence, free speech must be exercised responsibly. He remarked that Kenya is greater than any single individual, and no one should be allowed to parade their impunity and mock the Constitution that holds the fabric of the country together.
Ndemo also highlighted the challenging and constrained environments under which judges, judicial officers, and staff work to deliver on constitutional promises, emphasizing the need for the judiciary to be defended and supported by all well-meaning people. He warned that Kenyans should not forget the consequences of losing confidence in the court system, given the country's history of traumatic events stemming from mistrust in the judicial system.
The Judiciary also urged the leadership of the Law Society of Kenya and the Senior Counsel Bar to take necessary actions as it is within their respective mandates to restore the dignity of the Bar and the legal profession and to retain the respect and trust that they ought to have for each other and from the public.