Probe Ombeta’s alleged illness, court tells DPP

The High Court on Thursday directed the DPP to investigate claims by defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta that he was unwell and unable to attend the Willie Kimani trial. A police informer was to testify about details of the murders.

The famous lawyer failed to appear for the mention of the Willie Kimani’s murder case that had been adjourned on Monday because of his alleged illness.

Four Administration Police officers — Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku, Leonard Mwangi — and police informer Peter Ngugi have denied murdering human rights lawyer Kimani. They also denied killing his client Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri. The court is expected to hear informer Ngugi’s confession that details how the accused persons allegedly carried out the killings. Justice Jessie Lesiit had allowed the adjournment on Monday and directed the matter to be mentioned on Thursday for further directions because the doctors had given him four days bed rest. However, through lawyer Doreen Kali, Ombeta told the court that he could not appear as expected as he was still unwell. Kali produced a document showing that the lawyer was still unwell. She said she could not disclose any information on Ombeta’scondition because he had not given her any details. Assistant DPP Nicholas Mutuku strongly opposed Ombeta’s application for adjournment, arguing that his conduct raises suspicions. He asked the court to allow them to investigate Ombeta’s illness to find out more about the doctor and what is ailing the lawyer. According to the prosecution, the document given on Monday does not disclose any diagnosis, adding that he was only given painkillers.