Main suspect in former Treasury official death pleads not guilty

The main suspect in the murder of Tom Osinde, a former senior staff at Treasury, has been charged with murder.

However, Julius Mogoi who appeared before Justice Heston Nyanga at the Nakuru High Court denied the charges.

Mogoi allegedly murdered Osinde on the night of June 17 and 18 at Ngata Farm in Rongai, Nakuru County.

While his advocate pleaded with the court for release on bond, the Prosecution led by Loice Murunga raised objections saying they fear for the suspect’s safety.

She said that the suspect should remain in custody for his own safety adding that he was also a flight risk having gone into hiding after committing the offence.

The prosecutor informed the court that the accused had earlier fled his rural home in Kisii County to Nakuru after committing another offence (defilement) in a bid to evade justice in the past.

Murunga submitted that one of the key witnesses they wish to rely on was the accused’s mother who was found in possession of some items belonging to the deceased.

She told the court the accused person is likely to interfere with prosecution witnesses noting that some were already fearing for their lives.

“This is a case where the prosecution is willing to rely on circumstantial evidence and the witnesses which the prosecution are his relatives where he left some of the exhibits that we intend to rely on. We plead with the court to deny him bond,” she told the court. Mogois’ lawyer applied for the court to release him on reasonable bond terms.

The defence lawyer opposed the prosecution submissions saying that his client has been in Police custody since he was arrested one month ago.

She told the court that the prosecution has not placed on record by way of evidence to show that the state witnesses will be tampered with or interfered with by the accused.

The advocate said the prosecution submissions are not sufficient to deny the accused person bail on the allegation that he will tamper with witnesses as none of the witnesses who are known has come forward to declare their fears as claimed by the prosecution.

She told the court that on the grounds that his client is a flight risk, nothing has been placed on record to prove he is a flight risk.

According to her, the prosecution has not provided in court any evidence to prove that his life is at risk. Justice Nyaga directed that the prosecution present sworn affidavits from the relatives confirming that the release of the accused person will put their lives in danger.