Ms Melida Auma now wants the court to deny Governor Okoth Obado bail claiming that her family is living in fear.
Following an application filed in court on Monday Ms. Melida Auma argued that releasing the three accused persons on bail will expose witnesses to intimidation, and evidence interference, further adding that it will unduly undermine the prosecution’s case.
In the affidavit it read, “The thought that those accused of killing our daughter can be freed during trial is chilling, a situation not helped by the fact that, as family members, we are possible witnesses in this matter.’’
Ms. Auma further stated that everyone linked to the murder of her daughter Sharon Otieno and her unborn child should remain in custody even as the trial is expedited.
She adds that the governor has influence in Migori County and across Nyanza, adding that three other suspects, alleged to be subjects of the county boss, are still at large.
“I pray to the Honorable Court to balance request for bail against the greater public interest to find the killers of Sharon and her unborn child; and to determine that the grant of bail will undermine the latter,” argues Ms Obado.
Governor Obado was on Monday charged afresh with two counts of murder after the court allowed the prosecution to amend the charge sheet and include the murder of Sharon Otieno’s baby.
Appearing before judge Jessie Lessit, Obado and his two aides; Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero were charged with the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno and the unborn infant she was carrying at the time of her gruesome murder.
Obado had earlier last week filed an application seeking for his release from custody pending the hearing and determination of his case.
In the application, Obado had revealed to the court that he suffered from a severe back problem known as a nerve compression with disc lesion on the lumber spine which started affecting him in the year 2013.
“To manage the condition, I have been under special care of a medical doctor by the name of Prof. Ating’a,” reads the application.
He argues that the condition has adversely affected his ability to stand for long hours adding that since his condition has not been attended to for the period he’s been in custody, the complication aggravated and was taken ill on September 29, 2018.