Sharon Otieno murder hearing delayed as Obado’s co-accused mourns family loss
The hearing of the murder case against former Migori Governor Okoth Obado over the killing of university student Sharon Otieno has been adjourned to May 6, 2024, to allow a co-accused to bury his wife and child who died in a road accident.
When the case came up for hearing, Caspal Obiero sought an adjournment saying he was bereaved and needed time to bury his wife and child.
The case was scheduled to last all week.
In seeking the adjournment, defence lawyer Meso Ogada said Obiero lost his wife and child in a road accident in March this year.
“The accident happened in March 2024 and the reason why they are burying the two people in May is because of financial constraints and also the Luo culture which has pre and post-rituals to be performed especially when you lose a wife,” Obiero prayed.
Lawyers Ogada and Elisha Ongoya told Magistrate Cecilia Githua that Obiero was unable to appear in court and participate in the proceedings because he was preparing for the burial.
He pleaded with the court and the prosecution to indulge him as he worked on giving his family a befitting send-off.
The prosecution did not oppose the request.
Justice Githua then ordered that the matter be resumed for hearing on May 6.
Justice Githua ruled: “Having heard from Obiero’s lawyer and other counsel, I grant the application as prayed for and adjourn the dates for the hearing”.
The judge expressed her sympathy to the accused for the loss of his wife and child.
In the case, Obado, his former personal assistant Michael Oyamo and clerk Obiero are charged with the murder of Sharon and her unborn baby which took place on September 3, 2018, in HomaBay County.
Results of a DNA test conducted on the foetus showed that Obado was the father of Sharon’s unborn child.
All defendants are out on bond.