BY SAM ALFAN.
The commandant of SGB/VIP unit Lazarus Opicho has been summoned to court for spying on a judge handling a case in which Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has been found guilty of contempt of court.
High Court judge Lawrence Mugambi was directed to appear in court on Friday, September 13 to explain his ‘unbecoming conduct’.
The judge noted that the senior police officer called his driver and bodyguard to inquire on his whereabouts.
The judge said the act bordered on intimidation and Opicho should appear before him to explain the action.
At the same time, Justice Mugambi found Masengeli guilty of contempt of court and directed him to also appear before him on Friday for sentencing.
The court said the acting Inspector General of Police had failed to appear in court as directed and purge the contempt even after given the opportunity.
Lawyer Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo commended the court for finding Masengeli guilty of contempt of court, for snubbing court summons on several occasions.g
“Masengeli is guilty of contempt and the court ought to punish him accordingly,” ruled the Judge Mugambi.
Masengeli is required to appear in court to explain the whereabouts of activist Bob Micheni Njagi and brothers Jamil and Aslam Longton, who were abducted by persons believed to be police officers on August 19, at Kitengela.
Their whereabouts since then has remained unknown forcing the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to file a petition for their production.
Njagi and Jamil had hosted a discussion on X Space discussing national issues and raising concerns about government policies and their abduction is believed to be connected their activism.
“The 1st respondent’s (Masengeli’s) actions of willful disobedience of court orders undermine the supremacy of the law and the administration of justice.
It is the responsibility of the court to hold such people into account. Failure to appear in court amounts to direct contempt,” said the judge as he directed the police boss to appear on Friday for sentencing.
