Supreme Court calls out Nelson Havi, Ahmednassir, Ang'awa over social media conduct

By Edith. O. Virginia Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi, Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi, and lawyer Esther Ang'awa were called out by the Supreme Court during the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) ruling on Thursday, March 31, 2022, for their social media conduct. While reading the verdict, Chief Justice Martha Koome stated that the three lawyers had acted unethically by repeatedly discussing and casting aspersions on a case pending in court. CJ Koome noted that Havi, Ang'awa and Ahmednassir subverted provisions of section 61 of the advocates act that deal with dishonourable conduct incompatible with the status of an advocate. [caption id="attachment_15966" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Chief Justice Martha Koome delivers her verdict on the BBI initiative on March 31, 2022. |Courtesy| Twitter|[/caption] "Equally culpable is the conduct of Ahmednassir Abdullahi who though not counsel appearing in this matter took the lead role in disparaging the court as evidenced by posts on Twitter on February 8, 2022, February 15, and as late as, March 29, 2022," CJ Koome stated. She noted that the rank and dignity of senior counsel are confined based on irreproachable professional conduct and exemplary service to the legal and public service in Kenya. "These standards are expected to continue even after the conferment of the rank of senior counsel," CJ Koome stated. CJ Koome noted that lawyers should continue to conduct themselves in a manner that strengthens the honour of the profession. Video Courtesy| TV47| https://twitter.com/tv47ke/status/1509501958926778376