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Court criticises John Githongo for skipping session
Former Ethics and Governance permanent secretary John Githongo on December 8, 2016 prepares to testify in a defamation case filed against him by former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru. He did not turn up in court to testify in an ongoing Anglo Leasing case. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Senior principal magistrate Felix Kombo said Dr Githongo had wasted the court’s time and that of other litigants.
- The E-cops project had sought to link all the police stations in the country so as to improve efficiency.
The anti-corruption court expressed disappointment with former Ethics and Governance permanent secretary John Githongo, for his failure to appear and testify in the ongoing trial of suspects linked to the controversial Anglo Leasing E-cops project.
Senior principal magistrate Felix Kombo said Dr Githongo had wasted the court’s time and that of other litigants who could have utilized the time allocated to him had he communicated his decision to skip court session in time.
Dr Githongo had been notified on February 28 that he would be a witness but sent a communication to court indicating that he had other engagements out of the country.
The prosecution produced a document showing that he had booked a flight on March 5.
The court urged the prosecution to prepare their witnesses in time and also replace them promptly in case a witness is unable to attend court.
The E-cops project, which commenced in 2003, before it was abruptly terminated by the government, had sought to link all the police stations in the country so as to improve efficiency and collaboration in fighting crime and maintenance of law and order.
In the matter, former Finance minister David Mwiraria, two former PSs and businessmen Deepak Kamani and Rashmi Kamani have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the government.
The accused have denied alleged fraud concerning the Anglo Leasing contract, which the government later cancelled without notice.
The businessmen are accused of fraudulent acquisition of public property in connection with alleged payments made to a foreign firm.
Hearing was adjourned to June 5.
