Drama at Milimani Law Courts as businessman wheeled in by ambulance to face judge

The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, where a dramatic scene unfolded as a businessman was brought in by ambulance to face a contempt hearing. (Photo: File)

By Carolyne Kubwa
Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Judge Njoki Mwangi fumes after ailing businessman is wheeled into court in an ambulance, questioning what she called “unnecessary courtroom drama.”

Drama unfolded at the Milimani High Court when businessman Ashwin Shah was dramatically wheeled into the court compound in an ambulance to respond to a notice to show cause.

The unexpected scene played out before Justice Njoki Mwangi, who expressed shock and displeasure upon learning that the plaintiff had been brought in an ambulance without any prior notice to the court.

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“Why was I not informed that the plaintiff would be brought here in an ambulance? Is this not drama you are causing?” asked Justice Mwangi.

A visibly irritated Justice Mwangi directed her question to lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who represents Shah. Njiru explained that his client was too unwell to walk into the courtroom and that he had tried to alert the court earlier about Shah’s condition.

“My Lady, yesterday when I appeared before you, I tried to mention the immobility of the plaintiff, but I was muted. Again this morning, I indicated that we would bring him as he is,” lawyer Ndegwa Njiru said.

The judge, however, insisted that no formal communication had been made regarding Shah’s condition and said she was caught completely off guard by the move.

Justice Mwangi recalled that in a ruling delivered on October 4, 2024, she had directed Shah and an auctioneer to personally appear in court to answer a notice to show cause why they should not be punished for contempt.

Warrant of arrest

She noted that Shah had repeatedly failed to appear despite multiple summons, prompting the court to issue a warrant of arrest in November 2024 to compel his attendance.

“It must not be forgotten that on October 14, 2025, I made it clear that I would give no further audience to the plaintiff until he appeared in person or was brought under warrant of arrest,” said Justice Mwangi.

The judge added that she had previously declined to lift the arrest warrant in an earlier ruling on October 3, 2025, after the plaintiff’s lawyers applied to have it suspended.

When informed that Shah allegedly suffers from dementia, Justice Mwangi questioned the claim, noting that the businessman had continued to give legal instructions and file sworn affidavits.

“If indeed he suffers from dementia, how does he issue instructions and swear affidavits in support of his applications?” Justice Mwangi asked.

Concluding that Shah could not meaningfully respond to the show-cause notice while confined to an ambulance, Justice Mwangi directed officers from Parklands Police Station to ensure he is produced in court once he recovers.

“Since the notice to show cause cannot proceed in his current state, the police shall produce him before the court on any working day between 9 am and 5 pm after he has recovered,” Judge Mwangi said.