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Former rugby player Alex Olaba was yesterday charged with conspiracy to murder key State witness in a rape case against him.

At the same time, Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has filed an application before Milimani Trial Magistrate Zainab Abdul seeking to have Olaba’s Sh300,000 cash bail cancelled for threatening witnesses.

The DPP, through a senior State prosecutor, told the court that Olaba has failed to comply with bond terms as per the court orders.

However, defence lawyers, Robert Asembo and Cliff Oduk, opposed the application, saying their client has never interfered with witnesses in the case.

“Your honour, our client has never conspired to murder any of the prosecution witnesses,” Asembo told the court.

Abdul adjourned her ruling on whether or not to cancel Olaba’s bail until today.

Olaba is now charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to defeat justice.

He denied both charges before Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi who also deferred his ruling on bail until today.

Asembo urged the court to release the accused on bond, saying the case is different from the other one pending before court.

According to the prosecution, Olaba, on diverse dates between April 14, 2021 and April 22, 2021 within Nairobi county, jointly with others not before the court, conspired to kill a witness identified as KA.

He is also accused of interfering with the trial process in another case by attempting to cause the death of the key witness.