Controversial lawyer Male Mabirizi has been ordered to pay UGX300M in fines for contempt of court and bringing disrepute to the judiciary using his social media pages.
The orders arise from the High Court ruling issued today in a case filed by government through the Artoney General accusing Male Mabirizi for insulting Justice Philip Odoki in a case he (Mabirizi) filed against Capital Market Authority (CMA).
In a miscleneous application number 287 of 2021 filed in November last year, Mabirizi challenged the decision to approve Initial Public Offering IPO of MTN Uganda.
However as the case progressed, Mabirizi started arguing the merits of the case on social media suggesting that the trial judge should rule in his favor.
On 24th November 2021, prosecution says Mabirizi used his Twitter handle @MaleMabiriziMKK to post this message; “People have rendered decision that CMA Uganda was wrong to approve @mtnug #MTNIPO… its up to judge ODOKI to rule either in line with Ugandans or a ‘misnomer.’ Alongside the message, prosecution also said Mabirizi went on and posted Justice Odoki’s personal photograph. Prosecution further accused Mabirizi for posting the same messages on his Facebook page Uganda Peoples Interests
In his ruling today, Justice Musa Ssekaana ruled that the statements tended to “Lower the authority of Justice Odoki and the High Court” by suggesting that a ruling was not valid and had no legal effect and that it should not be accorded any respect by the public.
“This court cannot continue to be in mute mode as the authority of court is under attack” Justice Ssekaana’s ruling reads in part.
“Such attacks on judicial officers should be condemned in the strongest terms since they have become ‘endangered species’ by social media and usually cant defend themselves against such attacks” He adds.
“This application has succeeded and coury grants the following:
1. A decletatory order that the statements and posts on his Twitter handle MaleMabiriziKKK and on his Facebook page; Uganda Peoples Interests were in contempt of court.
2. An order that the respondent pays a fine of 300,000,000 (Three hundred million Uganda Shillings).” Musa Ssekana ordered.
Court also ordered Mabirizi to pay the applicant costs of the suit.
On top of asking for a declaration that Mabirizi acted in contempt of court, prosecution had prayed that court orders Mabirizi to pay 250M or ” a sentence of “simple imprisonment” of six months, and all costs associated to the suit.