Governor Obado has appointed Fred Ngatia to be his lead defense lawyer.Governor Obado was earlier being represented by Cliff Ombeta who was leading his defense side.
Lawyer Fred Ngatia to take over as Governor Obado's lead defence lawyer after the governor lost faith in his current defence team
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) October 21, 2018
Lawyer Fred Ngatia is a re-known lawyer in Kenya named among the top legal minds the country has. Fred Ngatia been a defense lawyer for a number of cases including the 2017 Presidential election case where he represented President Uhuru’s side regarding the irregularities in the election which the NASA had the ruling on their side.
Last week, the prosecution opposed the governor’s bail application as he sought to be released on medical grounds. “We are saying bail is not an absolute right, bail is not mandatory,” said State lawyer Jacob Ondari. “The consideration for bail depends on the seriousness of the offence, likely punishment and the possibility of interference.”
The governor has been receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Mr Obado was arrested in connection with the Rongo University student’s murder on September 21. He is expected back in court next week for a ruling on his application for bail. DNA results linked the governor to the child Ms Otieno was carrying, but the governor’s lawyer Cliff Ombeta said this does not implicate the county boss in the murder and demanded that he be released on bail.
Other key suspects in the murder are Mr Obado’s personal assistant Michael Juma Oyamo and Migori County Assembly Clerk Casper Obiero. They have denied the charges. They are also awaiting determination of their bail application whose hearing is set for October 24.
Police have made several arrests as the State fights to have the suspects detained. The body of Ms Otieno, who was seven months pregnant at the time she was killed, was found near Kodera forest in Homa Bay on September 4, a day after she was abducted alongside Nation Media Group journalist Barrack Oduor.