Lawyer Gicheru [Photo: ICC]
The trial of lawyer Paul Gicheru entered week three on Monday, as the fourth witness gave his testimony before the International Criminal Court.
According to the witness, lawyer Gicheru bribed him with Ksh500,000 to withdraw his testimony.
He claimed to have been promised more money if he convinced other witnesses to withdraw from the Ruto-Sang case.
“Gicheru told me that ‘mkubwa’ wants no stone left unturned in this case and that he wanted me to assist in locating other witnesses,” said the witness.
However, the defense lawyers in the case, denied the allegations claiming he took up the offer to be a witness, to get a better life under the Witness Protection Programme.
Lawyer Gicheru is accused of influencing eight witnesses with regard to the Ruto-Sang case, which stemmed from the 2007 post-election violence.
Gicheru’s actions allegedly led to the withdrawal of statements of at least four key prosecution witnesses in the case.
Presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba of Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) asked the lawyer Gicheru to stand up and take a plea.
On 15th of February 2022, the trial started with the reading of the charges against the accused as the Chamber was satisfied that he understood the nature of the charges.
The accused plead not-guilty to the all charges.
This comes after Paul Gicheru on 2nd of November 2020 surrendered to the authorities of Netherlands, pursuant to an ICC arrest warrant issued under seal on 10th of March 2015 and unsealed on 10th of September 2015.
On 3rd of November 2020, Gicheru was taken to ICC custody after the completion of the necessary national proceedings.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
She is also a firm believer of Christ.