Teenager Granted Ksh.700,000 Bond After Viral Video of Police Assault, Court Dismisses Flight Risk Claims
Ian Njoroge, a 19-year-old caught on video assaulting a traffic police officer in Mirema, has been released on a Ksh.700,000 bond.
Earlier on Friday, the Milimani law Courts had instructed probation officers to submit their report by 2 pm, warning that a failure to do so would result in a decision on Njoroge’s bail application.
The probation officers had requested an additional seven days to complete their submissions.
The court found the robbery with violence charge against Njoroge unconstitutional since section 96 (2) of the Penal Code, which the charge was based on, had been declared unconstitutional by the High Court.
The court also dismissed the prosecution’s claim that Njoroge should not be granted bail or bond due to being a flight risk, as it lacked supporting evidence.
On Wednesday, the prosecution argued against granting Njoroge bail/bond, citing an imminent threat to his safety due to public outcry following the incident.
“Due to the publicity of the matter, the situation on the ground is hostile towards the accused person. There is imminent danger to the accused person due to public agitation,” DCI Investigating Officer Josephat Rotich stated in an affidavit.
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The prosecution further emphasized that releasing Njoroge could lead to witness tampering.
“There is a likelihood of the accused person interfering with major witnesses, some of whom are well known to him and were captured on social media,” the prosecution contended.
Additionally, Rotich pointed out that Njoroge did not surrender after the assault, suggesting he might flee.
“Following the incident, the accused did not report to the station but went into hiding until officers found and arrested him. Therefore, he poses a flight risk,” the DCI investigating officer asserted.
Rotich also noted that the police officer attacked by Njoroge wishes to testify before bail is granted.
“The complainant, who is 57 years old, feels victimized on social media and requests to testify before the accused is released. While I acknowledge that bail and bond are constitutional rights, they can be denied if there are compelling reasons,” he stated.
“I have been informed by the counsel handling the information, which I believe to be true, that the reasons provided are compelling enough to deny the respondent bond.”
Teenager Granted Ksh.700,000 Bond After Viral Video of Police Assault, Court Dismisses Flight Risk Claims