Eighth suspect appears in court for robbery with violence during Boulevard attack
An eighth suspect has been charged over the attack on city businessman Timothy Muriuki at a Nairobi hotel, where he was allegedly robbed of Sh100,000.
Mr Hussein Suleiman, the last suspect to be charged over that incident, was arraigned before Milimani Law Courts senior principal magistrate Ms Martha Mutuku on Thursday.
State prosecutor Pamela Avedi said the case against Mr Suleiman will be consolidated with that of three others suspects who are out on a cash bail of Sh200,000.
Ms Avedi said a single charge sheet will be prepared for all the eight suspects who have been linked with the attack and injury of Mr Muriuki on April 30, 2018 at the Hotel Boulevard, Nairobi.
Defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta urged the trial magistrate to direct the prosecution to avail to him all the witness statements and exhibits to prepare defence of the accused.
THE SUSPECTS
Ms Mutuku directed the suspect to deposit a cash bail of Sh200,000 until May 23, 2018 when his case will be consolidated with another where East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) legislator Mr Simon Mbugua has been charged alongside others.
Apart from Mr Mbugua and Mr Suleiman, others who have been charged are Mr Dishon Peter Mulinge, Mr Ronald Onyango Otieno, Mr Michael Mbanya Wathigo, Mr Brian Shem Owino, Mr Antony Otieno Ombok alias Jamal and Mr Benjamin Odhiambo Onyango alias Odhis.
Mr Mulinge, Mr Otieno and Mr Wathigo were charged before chief magistrate Mr Francis Andayi on Wednesday.
All the suspects have denied the offence, which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction or life imprisonment.
Another suspect, Mr Sangira Stephen Ochola, who was produced in court without any charges being preferred against him, was ordered to return to court on June 4 for the State to indicate whether it would charge him or not.
CASH BAIL
Mr Ochola was released on a cash bail of Sh100,000, although the police wanted him detained for questioning.
However, he was told to be reporting to the investigating officer at Central Police Station, Corporal Francis Mwita.
“Under Article 49 (1)(h) of the Constitution, courts are allowed to release suspects on bond,” the magistrate said.
The police said they need the mobile phone of Mr Owino to extract call data and to investigate the calls made and received.
Ms Mutuku directed the suspect to abide by the court terms. She also ordered the state to furnish the defence with all the witness statements to prepare their evidence.