High Court Rejects Former Governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s Request to Suspend Corruption Trial
The High Court has rejected a request from former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria to halt his trial in a Ksh.562 million corruption case.
Mwangi Wa Iria, represented by lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, sought to delay the corruption trial until his petition against the case was resolved.
However, Justice Nixon Sifuna pointed out that documents had been modified without the court’s consent, violating legal procedures.
“This petition brings up significant issues for the court to decide on later. However, I noticed that it was modified without court approval, which is improper. Legal actions must adhere to the law,” ruled Justice Sifuna.
As a result, the judge dismissed the application and instructed the former governor’s legal team to submit a new application, stating that modifying the petition without court approval was improper.
“I see this as an impropriety that should be corrected instead of being ignored. The Amended Petition dated April 26, 2024, and filed on April 29, 2024, is struck out. The petitioners are allowed to file a properly amended petition,” ruled the court.
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The court instructed the new petition to be filed and served within seven days physically, along with Affidavits of the Service.
Meanwhile, Justice Sifuna noted that Wa Iria’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, made the request orally, calling it a “drastic action” that needs a formal application.
Regarding Mr. Njiru’s oral request to pause the criminal case in Nairobi’s Chief Magistrate’s Court Anti-Corruption Case No. E012 OF 2024, the judge stated that this significant action requires a formal application, responses, and submissions from all parties, followed by a thorough court decision.
The case is scheduled for a mention on May 15, 2024, to check if the amended petition has been filed and served as instructed. The judge will also provide further instructions on responses and hearing dates.
Wa Iria, who faces several corruption charges with his wife and others, is accused of offenses including abuse of office, conflict of interest, illegal acquisition of public property, and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
High Court Rejects Former Governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s Request to Suspend Corruption Trial
