The International Criminal Court (ICC) has terminated the case against lawyer Paul Gicheru following his death two weeks ago at his Karen home, Nairobi.
Through a notice yesterday, ICC announced the decision to terminate the criminal proceedings following the confirmation of his demise.
“According to the ICC legal framework, the court’s jurisdiction cannot be exercised over a deceased person. On October 13, the ICC registry filed an official communication from the Republic of Kenya in which it confirms the death of the accused. The chamber considers this sufficient proof to establish the death of the accused,” the court stated.
Gicheru, at the time of his passing was on interim release from ICC custody on a Sh1 million bail and awaiting judgement on the case.
He was accused of bribing and intimidating prosecution witnesses in the case against President William Ruto following the 2007 post-election violence that left at least 1,500 Kenyans dead.
Gicheru pleaded not guilty to all the charges on the trial that opened on February 15.
Eight witnesses testified for the prosecution and the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) completed its presentation of evidence on March 29,2022.