BY SAM ALFAN.
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has written to Chief Justice Martha Koome seeking for the retention of trial magistrate Douglas Ogoti in a case in which he is facing Sh213 million graft charges.
Kidero in the letter dated 23 February that when Ogoti was initially transferred to Embu, the office of the CJ allowed him to conclude his outstanding matters in Nairobi, including his case.
The magistrate has since been moved to Kisumu, in the latest transfers.
“It has come to our attention that the trial magistrate has now been transferred to Kisumu. Our client is reasonably apprehensive that the transfer of the trial magistrate is likely to affect and delay his fundamental right to a fair hearing and expeditious conclusion of the trial,” reads the letter.
“We humbly request the intervention of the office of the chief justice to grant permission and give direction that the trial magistrate Douglas Ogoti do conclude and finalize the trial of this matter…”said the letter.
The matter was mentioned before Magistrate Victor Wakhumile who directed the matter to be mentioned on April 20, to confirm if the CJ has responded to the letter and for further directions.
The former governor and ten others have since been accused of conspiring to commit fraud which led to the loss of Sh213,327,300 at the county government between January 16, 2014, and January 25, 2016 for services not rendered.