Hassan Omar's Request to Lady Justice Ends in Severe Embarrassment

Former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar on Friday became the object of scorn at the High Court after Lady Justice Lydia Achode dismissed his request.

Mr Omar had filled an application to the court seeking to compel the Judge to recuse herself from the case.

The former Senator argued that the Judge had been compromised and was therefore not able to execute the law as required in his petition against Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho.

Justice Achode reduced Mr Omar to a "cry-baby" in her ruling on the application stating that it lacked merit, basis and was not factual.

[caption caption="Lady Justice Lydia Achode"][/caption]

"I find the application by the petitioner (Omar) to be based on his own feelings and opinions.

"He has not presented any facts that are substantial enough to compel the court to recuse itself," the Judge ruled.

The Judge further warned Mr Omar against further attempts to undermine her authority stating: "After 30 years on the bench, I will not be bullied by lawyers."

On Thursday, lawyers representing the Governor and the former Senator were engaged in a heated battle that left the courtroom shocked.

Trouble started when Joho's lawyer Mohammed Balala made an application seeking orders for the court to summon Omar for re-cross examination, a move strongly opposed by petitioner's lawyer Yusuf Abubakar.

This rubbed Omar's lawyer the wrong way leading to name calling with Balala terming the former senator and his advocate "bullies" who wanted to intimidate the court and lawyers.

[caption caption="Former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar"][/caption]

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