Three men, Nobert Ouko Opeyo, Bernard Ochieng Okello and David Bahati Okunda have been charged with stealing murder investigation files belonging to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Allegedly, the trio committed the offense on May 29 at the IPOA head office.
Furthermore, they were charged with an alternative count of handling stolen goods but they pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Ndungi.
The prosecution however urged the court to deny them bail, arguing that other files which are missing from the IPOA office and the stolen files have put witnesses at risk.
“Therefore we are requesting that the accused be remanded at Capitol Police Station on the basis that the investigating officer needs to make arrangements with the witness protection agency to ensure the safety of the witnesses,” stated the prosecution, seeking for 10 days.
On the other hand, the suspects' lawyers rebutted that the offense is bailable, urging the court to dismiss the application.
However, according to the ruling, bail for the three accused persons was denied by the court which in turn ordered that the accused be detained for seven days.
Pre-bail reports be prepared and presented in court on June 4, 2021, the trial magistrate ordered.
The court noted, “The reason that they are likely to interfere with witnesses is compelling enough to deny the accused persons bail. However the 10 days are too many.”
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