Governor Muthomi Njuki, 16 others plead not guilty to Sh34m tender scam
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and 16 others on Monday appeared before Milimani law court and charged with several charges over Sh 34 million saga.
Appearing before Milimani chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti, the accused denied 16 charges that include: conspiracy to commit an economic crime, abuse of office, money laundering, acquition of proceeds of crime, willfully failure to comply with procurement laws and failure to pay taxes.
The accused persons through a battery of lawyers led by Paul Nyamondi and Danstun Omari sought to be released on reason bail.
"Bail should not be a punishment. Purpose of bail is to secure the attendance of the accused in court," said Nyamondi.
The DPP through state counsels Wesley Nyamache, Henry Kinyanjui and Hellen Mutera however did not oppose the release of the accused persons on bail but sought consummerate terms with the offences facing them.
Mutera further urged the court to grant them bail terms on condition that the accused person will deposit their passports with the court.
The prosecution also sought to have the governor and the county officials charged be barred from accessing the county offices which is said to be a scene of crime.
She also sought the court to bar the accused persons not to contact in any way the witnesses who have been lined up by the state.
