Judge John Mativo of High Court. Lawyer wants him dismissed. [Photo: KBC]A lawyer has petitioned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) seeking the removal of a high court judge. Adrian Njenga wants Judge John Mativo dismissed over claims of breach of oath of office, gross misconduct and misbehaviour. Njenga also says that Mativo has manifested inability to perform his duties.“At an unknown place and time, the judge altered a ruling delivered in an open court and inserted or caused to be inserted into the court file an altered copy of the ruling different from what he delivered, signed and handed to parties,” Njenga states in the petitioner filed on Tuesday.The claims against the judge arise from a petition filed at the Constitutional and Human Rights division of the High Court at Nairobi challenging the appointment of the Communications Authority of Kenya board.The judgement was issued on February 24.Njenga was dissatisfied with the verdict on account of material omissions on the part of the court, and sought a review of the decision on May 15.The application was heard by Mativo on September 25 and the ruling set for delivery on October 18, adds the Star.“Astonishingly, I was called a day later by a court assistant who informed me to go back the following day to pick the ruling. No explanation was tendered to shed light as to how the ruling was finalised in less than a day. During the hearing the judge inescapably exhibited undue hostilities towards me and deliberately refused to record my submissions," the lawyer adds.Njenga claims further taht the decision issued to him is 'an outright piracy and copy-paste' of a previous ruling.
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Why city lawyer wants High Court judge fired
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-Ndung'u Wa Gathua.