Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) now says it will take action against journalists and media houses who are “misreporting and mispresenting facts”.

While replying to a local journalist who claimed that ODPP was defending suspects in court, the public prosecutor said journalists should always get facts from its office.

“Dunstan Omari, one of Ms. Jumwa’s lawyers, while responding to why his client was appearing virtually, said that she had to hang around State House, waiting for her appointment. Court records can confirm this. ODPP would like to encourage factual reporting.

“The ODPP takes great exception to such reporting from journalists and media houses that continue to misreport and misrepresent facts. We will take action against such reporting. The ODPP is always available for clarification,” the ODPP tweeted.

Journalist’s tweet

In the tweet that got the prosecutor’s eye, NTV’s James Smart claimed ODPP had told the court Aisha Jumwa was “hanging around State House” for a possible appointment on Thursday, October 27, and could not attend the court proceedings in person.

“Aisha Jumwa failed to attend her murder case today, ODPP instead told the court that she said “her and other nominees had been ordered to stay near State House for a possible swearing in today,” the journalist tweeted.

Jumwa, who has since been sworn in as Gender and Public Service Cabinet Secretary, is facing murder charges.

She is being represented by lawyer Dunstan Omari.