ADVERTISEMENT
Africanian
  • News
  • News 24/7
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • World
    • US
    • Russia
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • America
No Result
View All Result
Africanian
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Malawi: Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda criticised Kalekeni office

He has referred the matter to the Chief Justice for certification since “the interpretation or application of the Constitution has arisen in these proceedings”.

in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
1 0
0
Malawi: Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda criticised Kalekeni office
1
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda has criticised the office of Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale for ‘sitting on the fence’ in the lockdown injunction case, saying it was supposed to be exemplary in handling court issues as its top official is head of the bar. Nyirenda has since sustained the injunction which he granted Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), Prophet David Mbewe and three others which block the government from enforcing a Covid-19 lockdown and restraining churches from gathering.

Kaphale withdrew from challenging the case, saying the Judiciary will do “the right thing” based on the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic crisis. But in the ruling which he delivered Tuesday, Justice Kenyatta said it was disheartening that a public office entrusted with public power at such an elevated level would opt not to file any court process one way or the other on such a weighty constitutional matter.

“With due respect, for the office of the Attorney General to sit on the fence on such an important topic involving imposition of a state of disaster or state of emergence is, in my considered view, a dereliction of duty.

The office failed to live up to its constitutional responsibilities. “It is very important that holders of the office of the Attorney General should never be deluded into thinking that being a principal legal advisor to the government means that the objective of the office of the Attorney General must be to win cases at all costs.

“When the Attorney General appears in a case as a legal practitioner or as a party, his or her role is not that very much different from that of any other legal practitioner or party,” reads the ruling in part. Judge Kenyatta said it was important for the AG to appear and give its input on the matter considering that the office must have been involved in coming up with the Covid-19 rules whose constitutionality is being questioned.

More

Promoting Gender Equality in African Technology Hubs

Nigeria: Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as President

Unlocking Africa’s Potential for Sustainable Growth

He also hit at the office of the AG as “the importance or necessity of the office of the Attorney General to appear and give its input in the present case cannot be avoided by trick or device”.

He also accused Kaphale’s office of snubbing seeking to communicate with the court through the media by stating, among other matters, that the court should rely on information in the public domain. “This is bizarre – the sherry effrontery of this statement is quite astounding. Actually, the fact that such a statement was made makes me wonder if the office of the Attorney General fully understands its responsibilities as envisaged by the framers of the Constitution,” Nyirenda said.

He has since ordered the defendants to shoulder all costs of the case and that the proceedings have been stayed pending determination of the constitutional issues by the High Court panel to be constituted.

Lawyer for the claimants Sullivan Kagundu said they are satisfied that the court has sustained the injunction. Kaphale was not immediately available for comment while Ministry of Justice spokesperson Pilirani Masanjala said he was going through the ruling.

africanian

africanian

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
China-Africa Relations: the continent's finest in the Middle Kingdom

China-Africa Relations: the continent’s finest in the Middle Kingdom

May 27, 2023
Shaping Africa’s Future –The Impact of Innovation Hubs

Shaping Africa’s Future –The Impact of Innovation Hubs

May 26, 2023
Tina Turner dies at 83

Tina Turner dies at 83

May 24, 2023
Promoting Gender Equality in African Technology Hubs

Promoting Gender Equality in African Technology Hubs

May 29, 2023
Nigeria: Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as President

Nigeria: Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as President

May 29, 2023
Unlocking Africa’s Potential for Sustainable Growth

Unlocking Africa’s Potential for Sustainable Growth

May 28, 2023
Africanian

Copyright © 2022 Africanian.com.

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Travel
  • World

Copyright © 2022 Africanian.com.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Log In

Sign In

Forgot password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Back to Login

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Accept

Add to Collection

  • Public collection title

  • Private collection title

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.