Sonko accuses DPP of failing to make full disclosure
Embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko yesterday accused the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji of failing to make full disclosure of documentary evidence and witness statements he intends to rely on in the Sh24.1 million graft case against him.
Through his lawyers, Cecil Miller and George Kithi, Sonko protested that the prosecution side had supplied them with edited and illegible statements in the case involving money laundering, conflict of interest and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
Chief Magistrate Peter Ooko of Milimani Anti-Corruption Court heard that the prosecutors had redacted the witness statements to a point where nothing substantial had been left to enable the defense prepare for the trial.
The documents are in respect of eight witnesses who are under protection and will testify in camera for their own safety and due to the sensitivity of the case.
Defence lawyers said that the documents are illegible and the prosecution has removed almost everything they need for the case.
“The documents are illegible and the prosecution have removed almost everything.
The documents are voluminous and we need time to verify them,” said lawyer Kithi while describing the documents furnished by prosecutors as unreliable.
With the illegible and redacted documents, the lawyers said they cannot be able to make a proper defence for their clients who include the governor and business people.
The lawyers said after the verification of documents they will be ready for hearing. The documents are voluminous and we need time to verify them,” said lawyer Kithi.
The court heard that the essence of having the prosecutors and the defence exchange documents is to afford the accused person a fair trial.
