Kenyan journalist Walter Barasa is now facing arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the Court of Appeal lifted orders blocking his extradition.
The courts had protected Mr Barasa from being apprehended by the international court that charged him with witness tampering in 2013.
Barasa's lawyer, Kibe Mungai, seemingly angered a three-judge bench of the appellate court after he sent a junior lawyer to seek an adjournment of the proceedings.
Mr Mungai also offended the judges - Justices Philip Nyamu Waki, Patrick Omwenga Kiage and Kathurima M’Inoti - after it emerged that he had disobeyed an order issued last year, to have one of the court papers corrected.
Further, Mr Mungai was yet to serve Attorney General Githu Muigai and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko with the said papers.
The court was told that the glaring mistake was due to miscommunication after the lawyer, on Monday evening, sent a message to his firm stating that the appeal would not proceed.
"We are far from impressed by the conduct of the lawyer. It boggles the mind that the lawyer lacks civility with the court and his colleagues and then risks with the case of his client.
"We take note that he went to a junior court and sent a junior lawyer to this court to seek adjournment. The lawyer is playing games with this court," the judges observed.
The court further imposed a fine that will attract an interest on Mr Mungai for the offense.
"We ought to punish the truancy of the lawyer and ensure justice for the client. The protective order issued by this court giving protection against arrest of the appellant is hereby vacated," the judges ruled.
Mr Mungai was said to be arguing a case for Mr Barasa's co-accused, lawyer Paul Gacheru at the High Court at the time of the journalist's hearing.
