Judy Thuo Wants Sh28.5M KPC Case Dismissed
Judy Thuo Seeks Dismissal of Sh28.5 Million Kenya Pipeline Graft Case
Judy Wamaitha Thuo, the widow of former Juja MP George Thuo, has moved to the High Court seeking the dismissal of a corruption case in which she is accused alongside other former Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) officials over an alleged Sh28.5 million graft scheme.
Judy Thuo, who is a director of Redline Limited, argues that the process leading to her prosecution was fatally defective, rendering the charges against her and her co-accused unsustainable in law.
Claims of Defective Investigations
In the petition, Judy Thuo and her co-petitioner Ngatia Ndung’u contend that at the time the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conducted investigations and recommended charges, the commission did not have commissioners in office, a situation they say invalidates the entire process.
“The applicants are business people whose reputation and standing have been grossly affected by the said charges,” the petitioners state in court documents.
They are now asking the High Court to issue orders discontinuing the prosecution against them.
Background of the Charges
The directors of Redline Limited were charged on November 30, 2015, with offences relating to the fraudulent acquisition of public property, after allegedly receiving payments for work that had not been carried out.
According to the prosecution, Judy Wamaitha Thuo and her son Ngatia Ndung’u, both directors of Redline Limited, received Sh28.5 million on February 28, 2014, at Chase Bank, Nairobi, as payment for the purported supply, installation, and commissioning of two auto-transformers for Kenya Pipeline Company.
However, it was alleged that the works were either not done or not completed as required under the contract.
Charges Against Ngatia Dropped
Court records indicate that charges against Ngatia Ndung’u were later withdrawn, leaving Judy Thuo to continue facing the charges relating to fraudulent acquisition of public property.
Other Accused in the Case
Former KPC Managing Director Charles Tanui is charged with irregularly awarding the tender and misuse of office.
Additionally, KPC’s former Chief Engineer Josephat Sirma and Chief Technical Manager Elias Karumi are facing six counts related to abuse of office and failure to comply with procurement regulations in the award and implementation of the tender.
Ruling Expected This Week
The High Court is expected to deliver its ruling later this week on whether the prosecution against Judy Thuo and the other accused persons should be terminated.
