The exile is over. Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, the flamboyant "Grand Mullah" of Kenyan law, has been welcomed back into the fold of the Supreme Court. In a ruling that marks a major thaw in relations between the Bar and the Bench, the apex court has lifted the controversial ban that barred him and his firm from appearing before it for two years.

The ban, imposed in early 2024, was unprecedented. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, had taken the drastic step after accusing the lawyer of waging a "campaign of calumny" against the judges on social media. It was a clash of titans that left the legal fraternity polarized.

Peace Pipe or Strategic Retreat?

The lifting of the ban is seen as a victory for due process. Ahmednasir had challenged the legality of the court barring a litigant's choice of counsel. The court's decision to rescind the order suggests a desire to turn the page and restore harmony in the corridors of justice.

• The Twitter (X) Factor: Ahmednasir is known for his sharp tongue and sharper tweets. Whether his return to the court comes with a "ceasefire" on his social media attacks remains to be seen.
• The Precedent: Legal scholars argue the ban was a slippery slope. By lifting it, the Court reaffirms that the right to representation is sacrosanct, even for its harshest critics.

Back in the Arena

For the Grand Mullah, this is more than a legal win; it is a vindication. The man who drives a Bentley and fears no judge is back in the arena. Expect fireworks, expect Latin maxims, and above all, expect the unexpected. The Supreme Court just got a lot more interesting.