Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Security guard changes tune and insists on trial in gun threat claim



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Rebecca Kerubo (centre) is accompanied by her husband Morara Ogweche (in red shirt) when she appeared before the Justice Service Commission for grilling at the Supreme Court in Nairobi. PHOTO/STEPHEN MUDIARI
Rebecca Kerubo (centre) is accompanied by her husband Morara Ogweche (in checked shirt) when she appeared before the Justice Service Commission for grilling at the Supreme Court in Nairobi. PHOTO/STEPHEN MUDIARI 
By Nation Reporter
Posted  Tuesday, January 10  2012 at  22:00
Ms Rebecca Kerubo, the security guard who has accused Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza of assaulting her on New Year’s Eve now wants the matter to go to trial.
The apparent change of heart came only a day after she was quoted as having said she was willing to meet and forgive the judge.
But on Tuesday, through lawyer Katanga Irungu, Ms Kerubo said all she wanted was “justice” for her case.
“The matter should go to a criminal trial. We are prepared to go there and give our testimony,” said Mr Irungu, shortly after appearing before a Judicial Service Commission sub-committee that is investigating the matter.
Ms Kerubo was interrogated by six members of the sub-committee that is being chaired by the Rev Samuel Kobia for one hour.
Lady Justice Baraza, who is also the Deputy President of the Supreme Court, later appeared before the sub-committee.
She, however, remained tight lipped over what transpired and refused to say whether she would give in to pressure to resign.
“Let the matter go to court. Imagine if it was the other way round and Lady Justice Baraza was the victim, my client would have been in prison as we speak,” added the lawyer.
“We want the law to be applied uniformly, be it to the common mwananchi or any other important person in the community.”
Ms Kerubo arrived at the Supreme Court buildings in Nairobi shortly after 2pm, but had to wait until 3pm to be interrogated by the committee.
She was accompanied by her husband, Mr Bernard Morara, and Mr Anthony Makhanu, her co-worker as her main witness who will be interrogated on Wednesday.
The team could not take evidence from Ms Kerubo’s husband because of time.
This means the two will give their account of the incident which occurred at the Village Market shopping mall on Wednesday, said their lawyer.
“I also want to clarify that my client has not demanded money from the Deputy CJ as it is being claimed. That is not true,” he said.
Lady Justice Baraza arrived early for the interrogation looking composed.
She entered the Supreme Court’s boardroom only to find her accuser still being interrogated.
nterrogated
She then walked out and waited outside and was offered a seat by journalists which she declined saying: “Let the great Kenyans sit.”
She was then escorted to another room awaiting her turn.
And an hour after being interrogated, Lady Justice Baraza emerged out of the room tight- lipped.
Among charges likely to be preferred against Ms Baraza if the matter goes to trial are unlawful possession of a firearm, illegal use of firearm and threatening to kill.
On Monday, the Police Commissioner, indicated that the investigation report and the recommendations had been sent to the office of the Director of Public prosecutions.

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