Anti-counterfeit agency boss John Akoten fined Sh200,000 for contempt of court
Anti-Counterfeit Agency acting Executive Director John Akoten at a Milimani court on June 28, 2016. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU |
What you need to know:
- Mr Akoten and Mr Ekai paid the fine and were freed. They spent most of the morning in court waiting for the payments to be made.
- Mr Akoten has been at the centre of controversy when it emerged that the private number plates for his official car were forged on Kirinyaga Road in Nairobi.
The head of the anti-counterfeit authority has been fined Sh200,000 for disobeying a court order.
Anti-Counterfeit Agency acting Executive Director John Akoten was on Tuesday ordered to pay the fine by the Employment and Labour Relations Court or be imprisoned for six months.
Justice Hellen Wasilwa also ordered the assistant director quality assurance at the agency, Michael Ekai, to pay the same fine.
The two were fined for failing to reinstate an employee as had been directed by the court.
“I note that the contempt has not been purged to date. I therefore fine each Sh200,000 or six months' jail,” ordered Justice Wasilwa.
The two officers were found guilty of failing to comply with a court order directing them to reinstate Johnson Adera, a suspended officer who worked as a deputy director for enforcement and legal services.
Justice Wasilwa said her orders had taken into account the request for leniency by the lawyers for the two officers.
Mr Akoten and Mr Ekai paid the fine and were freed. They spent most of the morning in court waiting for the payments to be made.
Mr Akoten has been at the centre of controversy when it emerged that the private number plates for his official car were forged on Kirinyaga Road in Nairobi.
He was also found to have altered the tracking gadget on another vehicle assigned to him.
However, he has defended his actions, saying he took the decision for “private and security” reasons.
(Editing by Beatrice Obwocha)
