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Case of city businessman in shooting incident adjourned

By RICHARD MUNGUTI September 11th, 2017 2 min read

The trial of businessman Paul Kobia, who accused of shooting in the air at a massage parlour, failed to start due to the absence of a ballastic report.

Mr Kobia, who has since been cleared a charge of kidnapping a foreigner alongside four others, told the trial court that “he needs the ballastic report to prepare his defence.”

“We find ourselves in a difficult situation because were are yet to receive the ballastic report for purposes of preparing our defence,” defence lawyer Kirathe Wandugi informed the trial magistrate.

Mr Wandugi told the magistrate the investigating officer has not yet furnished him with ballastic report regarding the usage of the same by Mr Kobia.

BALLISTIC REPORT

That position was confirmed by state prosecutor Mr Solomon Naulikha who said the report is ready but it has not been conveyed to court and also to the defence counsel.

Mr Naulikha, however, said he was ready to proceed with the case as he had one witness in court.

“Although we have not received the ballastic report, I have one witness in court I’m ready to proceed with the case,” Mr Naulikha submitted.

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He added that the report is in the office of the Investigating Officer and it will be availed to the defence lawyer.

However, he said Mr Wandugi had asked him to indulge him since he was appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court the hearing of the Sh791million theft case against former senior officials of the National Youth Service (NYS) was scheduled to start.

ADJOURNMENT

“It is true I had asked him (Naulikha) to indulge me in this Kobia case when I seek adjournment as I am appearing before Chief Magistrate Kennedy Bidali who has been instructed by the Chief Justice David Maraga to expedite the trial of all ant-graft cases,” Mr Wandugi submitted.

The lawyer also added that a circular by the CJ requires all corruption related case be disposed off expeditiously.

Mr Andayi allowed Mr Wandugi’s request then said it will be “the last adjournment.”

Mr Kobia had been charged alongside four others who have since been acquitted for the offence of kidnapping and detaining a Congolese national Landole Iseka Blanchard on March 9, 2017 at a massage parlour within Kilimani area Nairobi County.