Jumwa, guard spend night in cells awaiting bond ruling
By Monica Kagia, October 23, 2020
Embattled Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her bodyguard Geoffrey Otieno spent last night in police cells awaiting a court ruling on their bond application after they denied murder charges levelled against them yesterday.
Appearing before Justice Njoki Mwangi in Malindi, the two were charged that on October 5, 2019, at Pendukiani, Ganda ward in Kilifi county, they jointly murdered Ngumbao Jola.
Through lawyers Jared Magolo, Cliff Ombeta, Dunstan Omari and Shadrack Wamboi, Jumwa and Otieno told the court they were willing to comply with any conditions it sets out hence should be granted bond with an alternative of cash bail.
“In the course of one year, our clients have complied with instructions by the DCI and the DPP hence it will be wrong if the prosecution opposes their prayer for bond,” said Magolo.
Earlier, proceedings almost came to a halt for lack of mental assessment documents for Otieno meaning he could not take a plea.
His lawyer, Omari, had argued that going by the chronology of events, the prosecution wanted their clients detained for longer by opposing bond.
“The State intends to defer plea taking by coming to this court without the mental assessment report for the first accused person. We pray that you release them on bond,” said Omari.
His application was backed by Ombeta, who told the court that compelling reasons ought to be given why the two accused persons should be denied bail.
However, their application was opposed by prosecutor Alloys Kemo who told the court he needed more time to file an affidavit with grounds of opposing bail.
Justice Mwangi will make a ruling today on whether or not the two should be released on bond.