Drug trafficking suspect hires former Judge Ombija in Sh598m cocaine case
By MAUREEN KAKAHFormer High Court judge Nicholas Ombija appeared in court for the first time as a practising lawyer on Wednesday after being declared unfit to be in office early this year.
The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board issued the verdict on Mr Ombija after he refused to appear before it for re- vetting and had instead opted to go on retirement as a judge of the High Court.
At that time, Mr Ombija had claimed that fresh vetting would be unfair to him.
On Wednesday, he returned to his former office to represent Roy Mwanthi, a clearing and forwarding agent accused of trafficking drugs valued at sh598 million at Kilindini Port, Mombasa.
Mr Mwanthi is charged together with Jack Alexander Wolf Marrian, the grandson of a colonial Cabinet minister.
In Wednesday’s hearing, High Court judge Luka Kimaru said he will rule on Friday on whether the bond terms set by a trial court for the two suspects will remain in place.
The Director of Public Prosecution has challenged the release of the two suspects on bond by a Kibera Magistrate court.
The two were released on sh70 million and sh60 million respectively.
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