Oscar Sudi Risks Bond Cancellation

Kapsaret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi is staring at the possibility of losing his Sh600,000 bond after failing to appear before the Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court for the hearing of his forgery case.

Trial magistrate Felix Kombo dismissed explanations given by Sudi’s legal team as “dubious”, directing the legislator to personally appear in court on Monday without fail.

Prosecutor Joseph Riungu had urged the court to issue an arrest warrant, accusing the MP of treating the court casually despite facing serious economic crime and forgery charges. Kombo stopped short of issuing the warrant but issued stern summons.

Political Campaigns Not an Excuse — Court

Sudi’s lawyers, Thomas Ruto and Prof. George Wajackoyah, pleaded for indulgence, arguing that the MP was fully engaged in intense final campaign activities ahead of party primaries.

But Magistrate Kombo rejected the argument:

“The court should not be held to ransom because of political activities. The accused person is a law-maker and he should respect the law and set a good example.”

Kombo noted that Sudi’s absence had frustrated court proceedings, and directed him to appear on April 24, 2017, to show cause why his bond should not be cancelled.

He further warned that failure to appear would lead to an immediate arrest order.

Charges: Forged Certificates and False Declaration to IEBC

Sudi is accused of:

• Forging academic certificates, and

• Submitting false information to the IEBC during the 2013 general elections.

His lawyers informed the court that they have filed a petition at the High Court seeking conservatory orders and a stay of the criminal proceedings.

The case continues.