Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado will be back in court for the mention of a case where he is charged with corruption-related offences.
Obado was in 2020 charged with irregular acquisition of public funds amounting to Sh505 million from the Migori county government.
He, however, asked the court to adjourn hearings to
allow him to pursue a plea bargain with the state.
Principal magistrate Charles Ondieki of the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court had given the parties time to negotiate before reporting back today on the progress of the discussions.
The state, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, had told the court that meetings involving the accused, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the prosecution teams have been held to seek an out-of-court settlement.
The discussions focus on restitution, admissions, and the possible withdrawal of some charges.
Today, the parties will inform the court about the outcome of the negotiations before the magistrate gives directions on the way forward. Should there be no progress, then the case is likely to proceed to a full trial.
Obado was charged alongside Dan Achola Okoth, Scarlet Susan Okoth, Jerry Zachary Okoth, Evelyne Adhiambo Zachary and businessman Jared Peter Odoyo, Christine Akinyi, Joram Opala, Ochanda Patroba, Penina Auma, Carolyne Anyango, as well as the companies Misoft Limited, Tarchdog Printers Limited, Kajulu Business Limited, Victorious Investments Limited, Deltrack ICT Services Ltd, Swyfcon Engineering Limited, and Dolphus Software Limited.
Before the plea deal request, the prosecution had lined up 59 witnesses, but only two have since testified.
Ex-Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero case
The hearing of a case where former
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is charged alongside 12 others with conspiracy to
commit an offence of corruption will resume.
Prosecutors say the Sh58 million in question was paid
to a law firm on January 7, 2014, despite not having rendered any services to
City Hall.
Kidero was charged in the case on April 29, 2019,
alongside 15 others.
"Jointly with others, they were charged with
conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to section 47A (3) as
read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act
(ACECA)," the court papers show.
Three of the accused who served as accountants at City
Hall have since had the charges against them dropped. The three are Manasseh
Karanja (deputy director of Internal Audit), Peterson Njeru and Charity
Ndiritu, both accountants.
The case is being heard by Principal Magistrate Celessa Okore.
