3 officers charged afresh with murder of British aristocrat
Naftali Chege, Charles Wang'ombe Munyiri (Rtd), Ishmael Bulima and John Pamba at the High Court in Mombasa on July 19, 2018, when they were charged with Alexander Monson's murder. PHOTO | PHILIP MUYANGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The four co-accused denied murdering Mr Alexander Monson, son of Lord Nicholas Monson.
- Mr Chege, Mr Munyiri and Mr Bulima released on Sh500,000 cash bail or Sh1 million bond with a surety of similar amount.
- Fourth co-accused Mr John Pamba remanded until ruling on his bail on September 17.
- Mr Pamba had failed to appear in court earlier but his lawyer said he was unwell then.
Two police officers and their retired colleague were on Thursday charged afresh with the murder of a son of a British aristocrat following consolidation of the case with that of another officer who had not been charged.
Mr Naftali Chege, Mr Charles Wang’ombe Munyiri (retired), Mr Ishmael Baraka Bulima took plea on Thursday together with Mr John Pamba who was not present when they initially appeared in court.
The four co-accused, who appeared before Mombasa Resident Judge Eric Ogola, denied murdering Mr Alexander Monson, son of Lord Nicholas Monson.
Justice Ogola released Mr Chege, Mr Munyiri and Mr Bulima on a Sh1 million bond with a surety of similar amount or an alternative of Sh500,000 cash bail.
PAMBA BAIL
The judge ordered Mr Pamba to be remanded at Shimo la Tewa prison until September 17 when he will deliver a ruling on whether to release him on bond.
Prosecutor Jami Yamina had told the court that Mr Pamba had shown reluctance to appear in court despite being based at Diani Police Station.
But Mr Pamba’s lawyer, Mr Pascal Nabwana, said the suspect had been unwell and was suffering from malaria on the day he was to appear in court.
“The accused is remorseful. He did not willfully refuse to come to court,” said Mr Nabwana.
Justice Ogola ordered the three suspects released on bail to refrain from contacting or interfering with witnesses.
The judge noted the fact that the accused are police officers does provide a unique ground for denial of bail but said the state failed to provide proof that they would interfere with witnesses if released.
Justice Ogola said that the prosecution had relied on inquest proceedings to have the accused denied bail but they (the proceedings) were not presented before him.
“The assertion by the state cannot be verified by court. It was not privy to the proceedings before the lower court, [therefore] it cannot take cognizance of the accused persons demeanor during the proceedings,” said Justice Ogola.
According to the charge sheet, the accused jointly with others not before the court, murdered Alexander Monson on May 19, 2012 at Diani location, Msambweni Constituency in Kwale County.
The accused are expected to undergo psychiatric examination on July 23.
