Return stolen money in exchange for lighter sentences, NYS scandal suspects told
Anti-Corruption Court, a unit formed by Chief Justice David Maraga to handle corruption cases, has advised NYS scandal suspects to return the stolen money in exchange of lenient sentence.
On Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti advised all the named suspects in the Sh468 million corruption scandal including, Ann Ngirita who supplied air to the NYS, to return the loot in exchange for lighter punishment by the court.
Chief Magistrate Ogoti encouraged all those on trial to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji and enter into a plea bargain of how they will return the money before the trials slated for October 29, 2018.
“Parties are hereby encouraged to enter a plea bargain agreement at any stage before judgment is delivered,” Ogoti told the over 50 suspects in court during the Tuesday’s mentioning.
KEY SUSPECTS
The judge also issued other rules that are to be adhered to during the trial period.
According to Kenyan laws, suspects are allowed to negotiate with the prosecution before judgment is passed to avoid harsh sentences or prolonged cases.
He also cautioned the suspects against employing delaying tactics during the trial, “unless when it’s a matter of life and death.”
Magistrate Ogoti further lifted an order where the suspects were required to check in with the Director of Criminal Investigation once every month.
Among the suspects facing trial are the suspended NYS Director General Richard Ndubai, suspended Principal Secretary Lilian Omollo as well as the Ngirita family led by Lucy Ngirita, her children Ann, Phyliss Njeri, Jeremiah Gichini and his wife Catherine Wanjiku.