The Judiciary wants disciplinary action taken against renowned lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi for repeatedly accusing judges of graft without proof.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 27, the Judiciary Spokesperson, Paul Ndemo, called on the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Senior Counsel Bar to punish Senior Counsel Ahmednasir over his allegations, which he said are baseless.
Ndemo claimed that the lawyer is taking advantage of his popularity to spread 'lies' about the Judiciary, and is in the process, tarnishing the reputation of the institution.
The spokesman who labelled Ahmednasir as unprofessional, for his "misdirected, callous, casual and reckless conduct", said punishing him will be pivotal in restoring dignity in the country's legal ecosystem.
"Only then shall the Bar and Bench retain the respect and trust that they ought to have for each other and from the public at large," Ndemo stated.
Ndemo, however, affirmed that the Judiciary has laid out solid mechanisms to ensure that there is accountability and transparency in the institution and is also ready to receive suggestions on how it can reinforce accountability.
Furthermore, he emphasised that if the allegations are positive, Ahmednasir should table substantial evidence to the proper channels for action to be taken by the relevant parties.
"To have baseless allegations made without any evidence for purposes that are not defined consistently for months, we do not know what exactly the senior counsel wants accomplished," Ndemo said.
"We have said, time without number, that we are open to be held in account, and there are measures that we have taken to ensure that there is accountability in the institution, and we are open to suggestions that can improve our systems," he added.
Responding to the Judiciary's statement, the lawyer stressed that calling for accountability in the judiciary is in line with the constitution, and his mandate as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
In a letter dated May 20, the Judiciary's Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate Ahmednasir after he claimed that a judge in the Supreme Court accepted a Ksh4 million bribe to influence a ruling in the Court of Appeal.
Mokaya urged the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, to kickstart investigations and apprehend the vocal lawyer for spreading the allegations.
“This pattern of conduct amounts to a crime under the laws of Kenya,” the Judiciary said in the letter.
It added, “We are deeply concerned that if this continues, it will erode public confidence in the Judiciary and undermine the rule of law.”
