An Anti-Corruption Court has issued an arrest warrant for businesswoman Grace Wakhungu for failure to appear twice in a Sh297 million fraud case against her and Sirisia MP John Waluke.
While issuing the directive on Tuesday, senior principal magistrate Elizabeth Juma said Wakhungu, 79, seemed to be taking the court around in circles.
A judgment was due on Tuesday but failed to proceed after Wakhungu failed to appear.
"This court has observed the accused who is said to be unwell with hypertension is taking this court in circles,” Juma said.
“This is the second time she has been absent, I hereby issue a warrant for her arrest.”
The magistrate said the judgment has been ready for a while and Wakhungu ought to have explained herself.
Ian Wanda, Wakhungu’s lawyer, told the court his client was admitted on June 7 at Daima Afya Medical Centre in Gumba Estate.
Juma asked the court to verify whether the medical documents presented were genuine and if Wakhungu was admitted to the facility.
The prosecution asked the investigating officer to authenticate them.
“Even on May 27, the accused was absent. No medical document was presented before court to confirm those allegations of sickness. Today again she has not showed up,” the prosecution said.
Waluke was charged alongside Wakhungu and Erad Suppliers Ltd with Sh297 million fraud involving a contract between Chelsea Freight and the National Cereals and Produce Board.
The charge sheet said that on February 24, 2009, Waluke and Wakhungu, being directors of the company, presented a false invoice as evidence in the arbitration dispute between the company and the NCPB. They pleaded not guilty.
The judgment will be delivered on June 22.
(Edited by V. Graham)
