Magistrate bows out of terror case
Four women charged with terrorism appear before Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Simon Rotich on May 13, 2016. Magistrate Rotich has recused himself. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Ms Ummulkheir Sadri Abdalla, Ms Khadija Abubakar Abdulkadir, Ms Maryam Said Aboud and Ms Halima Adan have denied the charges and are being held at Shimo la Tewa prison.
A magistrate has disqualified himself from hearing a case in which four women are facing terrorism related charges.
Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Simon Rotich cited negative press reports.
“In view of press highlights, I hereby recuse myself from the case,” said Mr Rotich.
Last week the prosecution said it wished to ask the magistrate to disqualify himself.
On Friday, prosecutor Erick Masila said they were unable to comply and had briefed the Director of Public Prosecution.
“We are yet to get a response on the intended application for your recusal,” said Mr Masila.
Mr Rotich, however, told the prosecutor not to bother as he was disqualifying himself.
Ms Ummulkheir Sadri Abdalla, Ms Khadija Abubakar Abdulkadir, Ms Maryam Said Aboud and Ms Halima Adan have denied the charges and are being held at Shimo la Tewa prison.
The mention is on May 17.
