Senior Counsel James Orengo might now be out of Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu. But comes after he declared war on the UK based lawyer Khawar Qureshi.
James Orengo claimed that UK based lawyer did not have the certificate of admission to allow him to preside over the case against Mwilu. This comes as the DPP said most Kenyan lawyers fear DCJ Mwilu so Qureshi was his escape.
But little did Lawyer Orengo realize that the same shot might be directed to him. “Your words can be the weapon used to kill you.”
But will this attempt sail through considering James Orengo is a law heavy weight?
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji now wants lawyers James Orengo and Okong’o Omegeni blocked from handling Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu’s corruption case, citing conflict of interest.
Secretary of Public Prosecutions Dorcas Oduor yesterday said both Orengo and Omogeni sit in the Legal, Justice and Human Rights committee of the Senate that often grills DPP’s office over accountability.
Oduor said allowing the two senators to represent Mwilu will be a potential conflict of interest.
Oduor said Orengo has senatorial privilege to access information regarding the pleadings in court which he might use against prosecutors.
Where do we draw the line between him as a senator who oversights the DPP and a lawyer appearing for a party in this pleadings. There’s a conflict of interest and that matter has to be dealt with,” Oduor said.
“It is only right that the two be disqualified from handling the matter.”
Orengo told justices Hellen Omondi, Mumbi Ngugi, William Musyoka, Francis Tuiyot and Chacha Mwita that Hajji has no powers to appoint Qureshi.
He said the UK lawyer cannot represent the DPP in the case until the gazette notice that appointed him is reviewed.
Oduor said Haji has a right to appoint a lawyer of his choice. She said Attorney General Paul Kihara directed the DPP can admit someone as an advocate as long as the registrars fee is paid.
Oduor said the fee had been paid and that she was not ready to proceed with the case if Qureshi does not lead the prosecution team.
“Our office has a right to be represented by anyone of our choice. We will not tolerate any further delay in this case,” Oduor said.
Oduor said she was disappointed that Orengo has raised “misconceived objections” to the appearance of an independent Queens’s Counsel, who is also a deputy judge of the High Court of England and Wales.