New twist in Jumwa case as prosecution seeks evidence review

Public Service Cabinet Secretary nominee Aisha Jumwa’s corruption case in which she is accused of conspiring to embezzle Sh19 million from the NG-CDF kitty has taken a new twist after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) sought to review its evidence.

Noordin Haji through Senior Assistant State Counsel Henry Githinji informed Mombasa Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku he wanted to have the matter adjourned to allow him to review his evidence and file the new application before the court.

However, Mutuku ruled the DPP could not be allowed to make the new application in the absence of six other suspects not present in court.

 Lawyer Jared Magolo who is representing Jumwa, informed the court that his client was ready to proceed and have the new application tabled in court if it did not touch on his client’s co-accused.

The prosecution has lined up 10 prosecution witnesses to testify in the case. Last Friday, the chief magistrate issued a warrant of arrest for Jumwa’s six co-accused after they failed to log into the hearing of the matter virtually.

Jumwa is accused of conspiracy to commit fraud through payment of Sh19 million to Multiserve Contractors in respect of tender number MLD/NG-CDF/01/2017/2018 of Malindi NG-CDF. She has been charged alongside Wachu Omar, Kennedy Otieno, Bernard Riba, Sophia Saidi, Margaret Kalume, Robert Katana and Multiserve contractors.