An Anti-Corruption court has acquitted former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko of several counts of offenses in Sh 20 million graft case.
Trial Magistrate Charles Ondieki acquitted Sonko of the offense of conspiring to commit an offense of abuse of office by extorting Sh 10 million.
The Sh 10 million was allegedly an inducement to facilitate payments to Web Tribe Limited by Nairobi County Government and thereby improperly conferring a benefit on the Governor and Anthony Ambok, through ROG Security Limited.
The former County boss was also acquitted of the offense of acquisition of proceeds of crime from Web Tribe.
However, the court found that Sonko and his co-accused persons, ROG Security Limited and Anthony Ambok alias Jamal have a case to answer on several other counts.
The charges include abuse of office, conflict of interest and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
The case is scheduled for the defense hearing on 15th May 2025 with further hearing in July.
Sonko’s lawyer Assa Nyakundi told the court that they intend to call 15 witnesses, four of whom are police officers.
On the other hand, ROG and Ambok intend to call five witnesses.
While issuing directions on how the defense hearing will proceed, the magistrate ruled that the hearing will proceed on a day to day basis without adjournment.
“If there will be an issue arising, parties should issue notice to the court. No adjournment will be accepted unless under extreme circumstances,” the magistrate ruled.
In addition, the court ruled that there will be no withdrawal of instructions by the accused persons during the hearing.
Further, there will be no withdrawal of services by the advocates during the hearing.
The court also allowed plea bargaining without prejudice to the right to be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.
“Pursuant to the principal which governs judicial authority on mediation, parties are at liberty to pursue plea bargaining. Directions may be varied by this court suo moto.”
