Embattled FKF president Nick Mwendwa to remain in custody until tomorrow
Suspended Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa will remain in police custody until tomorrow when the court will rule whether he should take a plea.
Mwendwa was arraigned before Milimani Anti-corruption court’s Chief magistrate Eunice Nyutu today was to be charged with unlawful acquisition of public property.
However, he did not take a plea as his lawyers opposed the charges while questioning their legality.
Mwendwa’s lawyers Eric Mutua and Mutula Kilonzo also questioned the legality of the charge.
Mwendwa who was re-arrested on Friday days after police failed to charge him was to face charges of alleged misappropriation of Sh8 million from the federation.
He was to also face charges of failing to account for Sh29.5 million said to be missing from FKF accounts.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Director of Public Prosecution and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) over the new arrest, Mutua claimed Mwendwa’s arrest was manifestation of abuse of both police powers and criminal justice system.
“The arrest of Mwendwa is a clear manifestation of abuse of both police powers and criminal justice system, whose ultimate aim is to intimidate Mwendwa in order for him to abandon his pursuit of a civil dispute over management of Football Kenya Federation,” read the letter.
The prosecution under DPP Noordin Haji said there was no case against Mwendwa.
“We seek to close the file as our team proceeds with probing the case at our own pace before we prefer charges against him,” said the DPP.
The court had granted the prosecution seven days to charge Mwendwa, who was accused of misappropriating funds allocated to the federation.
Milimani Senior Resident Magistrate Wandia Nyamu allowed the application by the DPP and ordered the matter closed.
He had also been arrested on November 12, 2021, over the loss of Sh430 million advanced to FKF in 2016 by the Sports, Arts and Social Development.
He was however released on Sh4 million cash bail.
