Courts
EACC says it followed the law in bribery probe targeting Thika magistrate Stella Atambo
Anti-graft agency given audience as court rules it has a right to defend itself
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has strongly defended itself over its conduct during investigations into alleged bribery against Thika Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo.
Addressing the court immediately after Milimani Chief Magistrate Harrison Baraza allowed the agency to participate in a case filed before him, EACC said it they did not violate any law, adding a search warrant it obtained was based solely on facts and the law.
On Monday, the defence team led by Danstan Omari, Samson Nyamberi, Matina Swiga, Cliff Ombeta, Shadrack Wambui and John Khaminwa had urged the court to deny the EACC audience claiming that it sneaked before the court to prosecute it own matter which is against the law.
Omari told the court that EACC is an investigating body similar to other bodies and their mandate is to investigate a matter and propose to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to open criminal charges against a respective party.
However, Baraza ruled that the anti-corruption agency will be allowed to address the court, saying that after analysing oral submissions by the defence lawyers, he found that there is need for EACC to be given time to defend itself from the accusations levelled against it.
Seizing the opportunity, EACC added that after securing the search warrant, it conducted searches on March 13 at Atambo’s residences following numerous complaints that she demanded and received bribes from accused persons in criminal matters before her.
“It is alleged that on diverse dates, Hon. Atambo received various amounts of money through a clerk, which is suspected to have been solicited from accused persons,” said the commission.
The matter will be mentioned on April 2 for further directions.
