Of Judge Mtambo’s refusal to recuse himself in Mphwiyo shooting case: Law-journal column on Nyasa Times

Th doctrine of judicial recusal states that a judge may recuse himself from proceedings if he decides that it is not appropriate for him to hear a case before him. A judge must therefore step down in circumstances where there appears to be bias or ‘apparent bias’.

High Court Judge Michael Mtambo
High Court Judge Michael Mtambo

The test for determining apparent bias was set in the House of Lords decision in Porter v Magill [2002] 2 AC 357 at par 102, and states as follows: ‘‘whether a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts, would conclude that there was a real possibility that the judge was biased, the judge must recuse himself’’. It has to be stressed that the test is to be applied having regard to all the facts of the case in question.

The judiciary must ensure that it remains independent at all times and that it is seen to be independent of any influence that might reasonably be perceived as compromising its ability to judge cases fairly and impartially. ‘‘Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done.’’ This was stated in a leading English case R v Sussex Justices, Ex parte McCarthy [1924] 1 KB 256. The case set the precedence in establishing the principle that mere appearance of bias is sufficient to overturn a judicial decision.

The main reasoning behind judicial impartiality is so that the public at large can have confidence that when they appear before a judge their case will be heard fairly and impartially. The legal system, any legal system, is and must be a central social good in any successful society, state. Thus its substantive, as well as apparent, integrity, without question, is crucial. It is for this reason that the judiciary must do everything possible to maintain the wider society’s trust and confidence in the justice system. And even more so in the justice system in Malawi where there are long-running whispers of ‘judicial influence’ or ‘judge shopping’.

Kumwembe’s assertions

It has been reported that Kumwembe accused Justice Mtambo of apparent bias because of his history with one of the accused and that Justice Mtambo already treats Kumwembe and his co-accused as ‘violent criminals’. In my view it does not matter how the Honourable Judge’s CV found itself in the hands of Kumwembe.

The issue at hand is that Kumwembe raises a serious allegation of apparent bias before a judge who will decide his fate and that of his co-accused in the trial. That alone is reason enough for Justice Mtambo to step aside and let another judge hear the case.

It ought to be said that the concept of bias includes any personal interest in the case or friendship with the participants, but it also extends further to any real possibility that a judge would approach a case with a closed mind or, indeed, with anything other than an objective view; a real possibility in other words that he might in some way have ‘‘pre-judged’’ the case. It can therefore be argued that the accusations that Kumwembe makes raises the very question as to whether Justice Mtambo can ‘objectively’ continue to preside before this case.

 The finding of contempt

Given the allegations raised by Kumwembe against Justice Mtambo should Justice Mtambo have stepped aside and let a neutral judge decide on the issue of contempt? In my view he should have stepped aside for the sake of impartiality and transparency. Of course judges shouldn’t just recuse themselves over every allegation raised against them but I would argue that in these circumstances it was the right course of action to take.

Justice Mtambo could have done the justice system a great service by stepping aside to let another judge decide on the contempt issue. This in my view could have served two purposes, to maintain public trust and confidence in the judiciary and secondly to remove any shed of doubt regarding his alleged bias.

He would then, depending on the findings of a neutral judge, have continued to hear the case in the event that the neutral judge found Kumwembe in contempt. This was an opportunity missed and one fails to see how a neutral observer can have confidence in Justice Mtambo hearing this case going forward.

As a consequence, his continued hearing of the case and its eventual outcome will forever overshadow the decision the hounorable judge made in the recusal hearing.

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footsoldier
footsoldier
8 years ago

You opened you article with “..if the judge decides that it is not appropriate for him [her] to hear a case before him [her] [a judge faced with circumstance(s) where a any reasonable person with sufficient knowledge of all the facts of the case and the circumstances] must step aside fearing appearances of apparent bias or actual bias”. The learned judge having considered everything has decided that it is not appropriate for him to recuse himself from the case and you are claiming that was a wrong decision without proffering concrete evidence why he should not have made such a… Read more »

Cymru
Cymru
8 years ago

The story does not have strong arguments to prove that the judge erred. The author must be an interested party especially on the side of the accused.

Billiat
Billiat
8 years ago

Who’s the author of this article? Kasambara uyu

Alungwana
Alungwana
8 years ago

I wonder why these judges call the accused ‘mafias’ before they prove them. The fact that they are named mafias, it shows that these judges already have negative perception towards them hence the mafias cant defend themselves and being heard.

Bubu
Bubu
8 years ago

Suppose that Kumwembe in question was a certain mad man, crooked and an intelligent cheat. He is not but just assume, he was. Is the court bound to always accept such assertions and change judges solery on the account of the accused? Does the court have any role to analyse the assertions (as Judge Mtambo did) and in the end make a decision (a BIG NO decision or YES to change). OK, if one was allowed to influence change of judges like that, how would it be brought to a stop? after changing 10 judges? or until one has a… Read more »

vin mongu
vin mongu
8 years ago

kumwembe and his team want to plead innocence when they are violent people. they want judge shopping and they want to influence the result, where in the world will that be justice. the way i know mtambo he is moving no inch and if he dies then we know you have a hand kumwembe. when he started hearing your case you were quiet but when he found you with prima facie evidence — now is the right time to get him off? the guilty verdict is just now obvious. There is justice in Malawi with Appeals Court, three judges will… Read more »

Leti
Leti
8 years ago

Judge shopping ya Kasambara iyi, we all know he is trying all the tactics to corner and exert pressure on the honorable judge to recuse himself, what is he afraid of? Mtambo Sir carry on , we are praying for you, no evil formed against you by this evil man shall prosper!

Mbiri
Mbiri
8 years ago

You openeed your argument well “a fair minded etc.” now should fair mindedness be only to the those requesting the judge to recuse themselves? What about also a fair minded judge who should hear the recusal application? if the author of this biased article thinks the judge would so competently hear the recusal application, is he competent to hear the whole case? or any other case? i am of the view that the judge was right to hear the matter and determine it the way he did. the accused hear are just judge shopping. we cant tolerate that.

George phiri
George phiri
8 years ago

Ndiye Mtamboyo wakukanirani. Mutani??? Basi amene mwalemba nkhaniyi muthandidzeni kumwembeyo pomuwombera Mtambo. Kumwembe ali ndi ufulu koma Mtambo naye alinawo ufulu osiya nkhani kapena kutipitilidza. In this case he Mtambo feels wont be biased.

Truck
Truck
8 years ago

WHERE ON EARTH HAVE YOU SEEN THE OFFENDER CHALLENGING A JUDGE JUST PUT HIM LIKE IN PRISON DONT WASTE OUT TIME EH!

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