ODM man Etale cleared of election offences
ODM Communications Director Phillip Etale was on Wednesday cleared of electoral related offences by a Kilifi court.
Etale has been out on bail after being arrested on the eve of last week’s Malindi by-election appeared before Resident Magistrate Everlyne Wasike charged with election malpractices.
However, In her ruling the magistrate said that Mr Etale had no case to answer after the prosecution failed to file a case against him.
Speaking to Nairobi News after the ruling Etale said: “This was a political case engineered by malice. I maintained my innocence and this has come to pass. My only offence was to communicate the truth via social media.”
“UNLAWFUL DETENTION”
Etale also hinted the possibility of suing the Government for what he termed as “unlawful detention” and violation of his rights.
His Lawyer Maurice Kilonzo lauded the court’s decision to throw out the case saying that negative politics had no place in the country.
“We want this trend to continue where by politics of intimidation and trumped up charges are disregarded by the court as seen by the vindication of Etale,” he said.
ODM’s William Mtengo won the Malindi by-election with 15,582 votes with his nearest challenger Phillip Charo garnering 9,243. The exercise was however marred with several cases of voter bribery and violence.
