Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-28 09:45:27
The lawyer for murder suspect John Matara, who is accused of killing socialite Starlet Wahu in Nairobi’s South B apartment, has raised concerns about his client’s safety, claiming that his life is in danger. According to Mr. Samuel Ayora, Mr. Matara was physically assaulted by an unknown person inside the court premises while being escorted to the courtroom at the Makadara Law Courts.
Mr. Ayora argued against the court’s decision to detain his client for another seven days, stating that even in police custody, Mr. Matara remained unsafe. He mentioned an incident at the Industrial Area Police Station where two people attempted to forcibly remove his client from the police cells.
Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti of the Makadara Law Courts granted the orders to detain the suspect, following a request from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for an extension to complete investigations. Sergeant Alex Chokera, the investigating officer in the case, informed the court that the case file had been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), but the ODPP had identified areas that needed further investigation before charging the suspect.
Despite Mr. Matara being held in custody for 21 days, Sergeant Chokera sought an extension to cover the areas the ODPP wanted to be investigated. The ODPP had pointed out gaps in the probe that needed to be addressed to strengthen the evidence against the suspect before charging him.
Mr. Ayora also highlighted that his client had been questioned only twice during his 21-day detention, and argued that the time given to the DCI should have been enough to complete the investigation. The court, however, ordered Mr. Ayora to report the assault against his client and other complaints to the police for proper investigations.
The DCI is investigating a murder case but could recommend an additional charge of robbery with violence if it is discovered that Mr. Matara stole Wahu’s property during the incident. Wahu’s body was discovered on January 3, 2024, and Mr. Matara was arrested the following day at Mbagathi Hospital, where he had sought treatment for an injury sustained during a scuffle with the deceased at the South B apartment.
The case is expected to be mentioned on February 2 when the DPP is anticipated to charge the suspect.
