DPP directs IG Koome to probe alleged fake lawyer Brian Mwenda

Ingonga noted that Mwenda's case has been highly publicised terming it as suspected identity theft.

In Summary
  •  Ingonga noted that there have been widespread instances of identity theft, and or, impersonation of advocates contrary to section 29 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber-Crimes Act, No. 5 of 2018.

  • He said Mwenda's case is not new but investigations and arrests of cases of similar nature have been made. 

Director of Public Prosecution Renson Mulele Ingonga
Director of Public Prosecution Renson Mulele Ingonga
Image: FILE

The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has directed the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to conduct investigations into allegations of Brian Mwenda impersonating a lawyer. 

Ingonga noted that Mwenda's case has been highly publicised terming it as suspected identity theft. 

The DPP on Saturday said there has been an increase in the number of cases of unqualified persons acting as, or pretending to be Advocates of the High Court of Kenya. 

"In response to the increased cases of this nature, I have directed the Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) to undertake expedited comprehensive investigations in respect of the suspected case of identity theft of the said Brian Mwenda Ntwiga, among others, with the view to possible prosecution, upon criminal culpability being established," the DPP said. 

Ingonga said upon the receipt of the inquiry file, he shall undertake an independent review of the evidence, guided by the provisions of the Constitution, the relevant statutory provisions and the ODPP Decision to Charge Guidelines, 2019 and give appropriate directions.

"We shall give an update on this matter as and when the resultant inquiry file is received by the ODPP," Ingonga said. 

Ingonga said Kenyans expect utmost integrity within the legal practice because the legal profession is key to the fair administration of justice and peaceful settlement of disputes in the judicial and quasi-judicial institutions

He said all the actors in the justice system are mandated to protect the sanctity of the legal profession.

Further, Ingonga noted that there have been widespread instances of identity theft, and or, impersonation of advocates contrary to section 29 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber-Crimes Act, No. 5 of 2018.

He said Mwenda's case is not new since investigations and arrests of cases of similar nature have been made. 

"We have had one who was allegedly operating a law firm in Thika and another who allegedly pretended to be an advocate and operated under a law firm," Ingonga said. 

He said there was also a case where a woman was allegedly impersonating a researcher at the Judiciary. 

"Impersonators threaten not only the legal practice but the larger access to justice. Indeed, they pose a serious threat to the practice of law and are likely to have committed various offences under the laws of Kenya," he said. 

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