Sonko Now Mentally Unfit To Stand Trial, Lawyers Claim
The cat-and-mouse game between Sonko and the anti-corruption court took another twist Thursday when his lawyers declared him unfit to stand trial.
In Sonko’s Sh14.1 million fraud case that is before Magistrate Peter Ooko, lawyer John Khaminwa said the former governor was examined by a doctor at Aga Khan hospital, who issued a report indicating Sonko is mentally unfit to stand trial.
But the prosecution opposed the lawyer’s bid to have the case adjourned, saying four doctors at the Kenyatta National Hospital have a different view of Sonko’s medical condition.
THE STANDARD
NAIROBI
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in court for the hearing of his graft case. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]
Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti has dismissed an application by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to recuse himself from handling Sonko’s case.
Ogoti ruled that Sonko’s defense team had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove his alleged bias and attempts to subvert justice.
“Sonko has not proved any claims of bias to warrant the court to disqualify me,” the magistrate ruled.
Further, Ogoti has also allowed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji to introduce one more witness in the case.
THE STANDARD By
Paul Ogemba |
March 5th 2021 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is flanked by a nurse during hearing of his case before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko at the Milimani Law Court yesterday. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is now seeking to have his corruption cases suspended on grounds that he was not mentally fit to stand trial.
Sonko made the claims yesterday when he appeared before two different Anti-Corruption courts that are handling separate cases involving the alleged embezzlement of Sh26 million at City Hall.
In an eventful day, one magistrate was forced to hurriedly adjourn the hearing. Trouble started when Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti refused to disqualify himself from handling the first case. He also allowed the Director of Public Prosecutions to introduce another witness and adduce more evidence.
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