Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has been barred from appearing before the Supreme Court due to years of distasteful remarks made against the institution and its judges on media platforms.
The Supreme Court also barred employees of Ahmednasir’s law firm from filing cases before it, acknowledging that the decision will affect the vocal advocate’s client list and their respective cases.
The Registrar noted that it defeats the purpose for Ahmednasir to appear before the institution and individuals he constantly berates in his media engagements.
“It is the decision of this Court, that henceforth and from the date of this Communication, you shall have no audience before the Court, either by yourself, through an employee of your law firm, or any other person holding brief for you, or acting pursuant to your instructions,” read the letter.
“Much as this decision is bound to affect those who may have instructed you to represent them before the Court, it is untenable that you would seek justice in the very institution and before the very Judges, whose reputation and integrity you never tire in assaulting.”
The Senior Counsel stands accused of running a smear campaign against the highest court in the land as well as the seven-judge bench that sits on it for years, through relentless accusations of corruption and incompetence.
This, the court stated, went on despite the institution’s exercise of restraint as well as a 2018 ruling where Ahmednasir was warned of future consequences if he continued with his unwanted attacks.
“Over the years, you have relentlessly and unabashedly conducted a campaign in the broadcast, print and social media aimed at scandalizing, ridiculing and outrightly denigrating this Court. Through social media posts, media interviews and write-ups, you have accused the Court either in its constitutive persona, or individual membership, of acts of corruption, incompetence and outright bribery,” the statement added.
“This, you have done with reckless abandon, paying scant regard to the reputations of those who tirelessly serve on the Court in accordance with their Oath of Office. Notwithstanding the damage to the reputation of the Court, and the Judges who have served thereon over the years, both in its corporate and individual posture, and in an effort to render justice to those you represent, the Court has exercised restraint by not deploying the punitive tools available to it against you.”
It further stated: “You will recall that in its ruling in the case of Republic v Ahmad Abdolfadhi Mohammed & Anor, SC Petition No. 39 of 2018, following sustained and unsubstantiated attacks directed by you against the Court, you were cautioned that such conduct would in the future, not go unpunished.”
According to the Supreme Court, the 2018 ruling did not have an effect on Ahmednasir as he continued with the assaults unabated, and ironically even went on filing cases before it in his quest for justice.
“The caution as recorded in the ruling above, appears not to have had any sobering effect upon you. On the contrary, you have persisted in your unsubstantiated and virulent attacks against the leadership and membership of the Court,” the statement said.
“The insensitivity and abusive arrogance you continue to display against the Court in your frequent media postings, cannot be said to be animated by your quest for Justice. Ironically, even as you persist in your attacks against the Court, you do not see any contradiction in filing cases in the very institution and appearing before the very Judges you daily accuse of corruption and incompetence.”
