BY SAM ALFAN.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) suffered a setback after a Nairobi court quashed two main charges of corruption against former City governor Mike Sonko.
While quashing the two counts of conspiracy to commit the offence of corruption anti-corruption magistrate Charles Ondieki faulted prosecution for duplicating the counts against Sonko.
“Having failed to present a prima facie evidence in support thereof and having further offended rule against duplicity, count is dismissed and all accused acquitted under section 210 of Criminal Procedure Code,” ruled trial magistrate.
The court, however, placed Sonko, Anthony Otieno Ombok alias Jamal and ROG Security Ltd on their defence in relation to 11 other counts including abuse of office and conflict of interest.
The magistrate said there was no evidence that Sonko conspired to receive Sh10 million as an indictment to facilitate payment of Web Tribe company, by Nairobi County Government.
The magistrate further ruled that prosecution failed to prove that Sonko conspired with directors of the firm to receive any bribe as alleged by prosecution.
Ondieki dismissed prosecution allegations that Sonko received a bribe of Sh10 million from Web Tribe company, whilst knowing that the said property formed a part of proceeds of crime.
The former county boss was further acquitted of the allegation of acquisition of proceeds of crime.
During the final submissions, the prosecution admitted that the Nairobi County Government never lost a single shilling.