Businessman slams magistrate over summons

Controversial Kenyan businessman Paul Kobia was today (Monday) involved in a heated altercation with a magistrate in a packed Nairobi courtroom. Kobia was arraigned over allegations that he and his four bodyguards kidnapped Congolese businessman Blanchard Londole and assaulted him. The Star reports that he did not appear in court on 24 March as his lawyer said he had been hospitalised after an accident. Milimani chief magistrate Francis Andayi issued a summons as the lawyer did not produce documents supporting this claim. ‘Listen to me, your honour, this court is unfair to me,’ Kobia said, according to the report. It notes he did not plead and was ordered to rest for two weeks. He will return to court on 20 April to plead to charges of kidnapping, assault and public disorder.