‘Old School Judge’ Takes Over Jowie, Maribe Murder Case

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High Court Judge James Wakiaga will preside over a murder trial involving Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe & her fiancé Joseph Irungu alias Jowie. Wakiaga takes over the case from Justice Jessie Lessit who withdrew from the case.

Wakiaga is expected to hear the bail application and the trial. Last week, Justice Jessie Lessit directed that the matter be heard by another judge.

Irungu and Maribe have been charged with the murder of Monica Kimani whose body was found at her Kilimani apartment on September 19. Maribe is fighting for bail on the basis that she is the sole financial provider for her four-year-old son.

However, the family of Monica Kimani opposes the bail application saying the two suspects may interfere with investigations.

The two were Monday charged with the murder of Kimani in her Lamuria apartment in Kilimani area but they denied the charge.

Two lawyers Danson Omari and Katwa Kigen will be arguing before Justice James Wakiaga on behalf of Maribe while Cliff Ombeta will be representing Jowie in the proceedings.

The prosecution had objected the release on bail of the two on grounds that they could interfere with investigations.

In an affidavit filed at the High Court, lead investigating officer Maxwell Otieno said, there was a high chance that the two could jeopardize ongoing investigations into the murder of Kimani.

Otieno said investigators are seeking to establish if at all any amount of money was taken from the house of the slain businesswoman and possibly trace persons who could be in possession of the money.

He argued that the suspects who denied the murder charge when they took a plea on Monday were capable of instilling fear on key witnesses given the gruesome manner in which Kimani was murdered.

According to a charge sheet read to the two by Lady Justice Jessie Lessit of the Criminal Division of the High Court, the offence which violates Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code, was committed on September 19.

Lady Justice Lessit had deferred the plea-taking on Tuesday last week to allow Maribe undergo a mental assessment before being charged.

The results of a mental assessment on the Royal Media Services’ News Anchor were released on Friday paving way for her arraignment in court. 

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