Governor Okoth Obado’s aide Michael Oyamo has also been charged with the murder of slain Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.
Just like his boss, Oyamo denied the charges before High Court Judge Jessie Lesiit who had directed that the bail application be heard at 12pm today.
The prosecution is objecting to his release on bail on grounds that he is likely to abscond court.
According to court documents, the state has a very strong case against the accused and his accomplices which if found guilty, shall be sentenced to death.
Judge disqualification
However, when the court resumed for the said hearing, his lawyers led by Neville Amollo, June Ashioya and Rodgers Abisai told the court that they were not ready to proceed as they needed more time to respond to the allegations by the state against their client.
Further they submitted that they wanted Justice Lesiit to disqualify herself from hearing the matter. The judge however directed the defense to file a formal application on the same.
She also directed the DPP to supply the defense with documentary evidence and all copies of witness statements before 5th October 2018. In addition, the judge said the judge pushed the bail application to 8th October.
Bail objection
The prosecution alleges that if Oyamo is released bail he is likely to interfere with investigations and witnesses set to testify in the matter.
It is also alleged that the Governor’s aide played a key role in the planning and execution of the deceased and her unborn child.
“Considering the central role played by the accused, releasing him on bail will expose the family of the deceased and other witnesses to the risk of intimidation,” reads the state application.
It is the prosecution’s case that Sharon was lured by Oyamo on 3rd September 2018 from her parents’ home in Homabay County to Rongo in Migori where the deceased and Nation Newspapers journalist Barrack Oduor were handed over to the killers by the accused.
Further, it is alleged that upon luring and handing the two to the other abductors, he proceeded to Uriri Police station and made a false report vide OB No. 19/4/9/2018 to the effect that he had been kidnapped.
The accused claims that following the kidnap, he found himself at Kisii Level five hospital on September 4th 2018 where he was purportedly treated.
It is said that the investigators established from Kisii level five that Oyamo was never a patient at the hospital on the alleged date.
Prosecution informed the court that the accused person played a key role in the planning and eventually execution of the deceased of Sharon and her unborn child.
The police allege that according to a statement recorded by an eye witness, he clearly implicates Oyamo, his boss, Caspal Ajwang Obiero and other suspects still at large.
It is alleged Oyamo and Ajwang who are alleged to be both personal assistants to Obado were the persons taxed to manage the matter of Sharon’s pregnancy to avoid public scandal on the side of the Governor.
“In the view of the fact that the persons to whom the accused handed over the deceased are still at large, it would be extremely dangerous to release him at this point in time. There is a risk that if released on bail, he could easily reconnect with the same gang and put the witnesses at great risk,” says the prosecution.
According to the police the investigations are not yet complete and the investigators will be proceeding back to Migori County offices for further investigations which include interrogating the accuses persons very close family members, county employees and therefore there is likelihood that they might tamper with investigations.
The police claim three hitmen are still at large and if released, their arrest may be interfered with.
The court heard that the victim’s family is under threats and intimidation which are believed to be penetrated by Oyamo through his accomplices.
Oyamo has been remanded at Industrial Area Remand prison until 8th October.
