NAIROBI, Kenya- The High Court has ordered the National Intelligence Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Police Service and other State agencies to produce missing Nairobi lawyer Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi before the Milimani High Court by 2:30pm on Tuesday.
Justice Alexander Muasya Muteti, sitting as the duty judge in the Criminal Division, certified the matter urgent and ordered the designated respondents to produce Abdi before the court, “live or dead”.
The order was issued in High Court case HCCRMISCAPPL/E268/2026, filed by Zakaria Abshir against the State Law Office, the National Police Service Commission and 16 other respondents.
The court directed the third, fourth, fifth, ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th respondents to produce the advocate in open court.
Those named in the proceedings include the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, the Directorate of Military Intelligence, the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Counter Terrorism Bureau, Attorney General, NIS Director-General Noordin Haji and DCI Director Mohamed Amin.
Court demands warrants and explanation
Justice Muteti also summoned the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th respondents to appear in person or through their appointed lawyers.
They have been directed to present any warrants authorising Abdi’s arrest or detention and explain why he should not be immediately released if he is being held in custody.
The court ordered that the application and its directions be served on all respondents for immediate compliance.
A penal notice attached to the order warns that disobedience or non-compliance could attract legal consequences.
The matter was initially listed before Justice M. Muya, who was away on official duty. A certificate of urgency filed on November 3 was subsequently placed before Justice Muteti as the duty judge.
LSK demands compliance
Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama said the society had joined the habeas corpus proceedings as an interested party and demanded Abdi’s production in court within the timeline set by the judge.
“We demand that Abdi Abshir be produced in open court by 2:30pm as per the orders,” Kanjama said.
LSK said the court had certified the application urgent and fit for immediate determination, following concerns over the advocate’s disappearance.
The society has called on all respondents to comply fully with the order and account for Abdi’s whereabouts.
Family alleges abduction
Abdi’s family says he was forcibly taken by armed men along Muchai Road, off Ngong Road, in Nairobi in the early hours of November 1.
According to court documents filed by his brother, witnesses said the lawyer was intercepted by individuals in tactical gear and forced into another vehicle.
His Toyota Premio, registration number KDL 356C, was later found abandoned along Muchai Road and taken to Kilimani Police Station.
The family moved to court through an urgent habeas corpus application seeking orders compelling the State agencies to disclose whether Abdi is in their custody and, if so, the legal basis for his detention.
A habeas corpus application requires authorities to produce a person alleged to be unlawfully held and justify any detention before a court.
