Nairobi, KENYA: The Deputy Cheif Justice Philomena Mwilu has been released on a sh 5 million personal bond.
Philomena who was arraigned at the Anti-corruption court before magistrate Lawrence Mugambi is facing charges of abuse of office and not filing taxes.
Mwilu was on Tuesday arrested at the Supreme court headquarters before being arraigned at the Mlimani law courts.
Director of public prosecution DPP Noordin Haji, said he had enough evidence to prosecute Deputy chief justice Philomena Mwilu over criminal charges.
In a press conference in Nairobi, DPP Haji, revealed that Lady Justice Mwilu abused her office for personal gain, and accepted a gift in form of money under circumstances which undermined public confidence in the integrity of her office.
“There can be no justice if lawyers, prosecutors, magistrates, judges, and investigators (who are court officials) use their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the Kenyan people.” Said Haji
The DCJ was also accused of obtaining execution of a security belonging to Imperial Bank Limited now in receivership by false pretense and unlawful failure to pay taxes,
Haji claims that Mwilu also conducted herself in disregard of the law.
“In view of the above, I have concluded that the evidence is sufficient with a reasonable prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest that criminal proceedings should be preferred,” Said Haji.
Haji noted that DCI office forwarded to him an investigation file relating to the Deputy CJ which he perused and gave directions of her arrest.
The DPP office took the decision after informing Chief Justice David Maraga for the consent of the arrest and prosecution of the Deputy Chief Justice, Lady Justice Mwilu, on criminal charges.
He further said that the decision has not been taken lightly, but it is the right decision under the law.
Haji assured that he is satisfied with the progress they are making so far with cooperation and teamwork they have established with the Judiciary and the investigators to ensure that corruption is a thing of the past.
“Many other cases are under investigation, many more are being assessed by my office and Kenyans should expect fresh investigations and prosecutions on a regular basis.” He added
The manufacturers of consumer products were also not spared in the fight against corruption as DPP said his office has a duty to protect the health of Kenyan people by ensuring that products offered for sale are properly and accurately tested to confirm that they are of good quality and safe to use.
He also pointed out that ODPP have offices in all the 47 counties and in most of them they have cases in court which are progressing well like In Nairobi where the NYS cases will come up for hearing between October and December and two of the Kenya Power cases will be heard in October.
The Kenya bureal of standard KEBS, National Cereal and produce board NCPB and National Land Commission cases are in the pre-trial stage.
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