DCJ's graft trial postponed

Opposition politician Kalonzo Musyoka has revealed how he tried to save Kenya’s Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu from being prosecuted on corruption charges. Legalbrief reports that Mwilu was arrested in August but she successfully blocked her prosecution in the High Court, arguing that the charges were deliberately calculated to subject her to public humiliation and embarrassment. She stated that the charges stemmed from alleged threats issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta after the Supreme Court nullified his win last year. The Daily Nation reports that the authorities claim Mwilu unlawfully received $119 000 from Imperial Bank Limited which was credited to her account on 23 October, 2013. They also accuse her of abuse of office and obtaining security clearance by false pretences. Musyoka who is the leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement, said he has sought the intervention of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the matter. ‘An independent judiciary is what this country must always aim to achieve and sustain. Every Kenyan knows the circumstances under which the DCJ was arraigned,’ said Musyoka who is one of several leading lawyers representing Mwilu. A report on the Tuko site notes that Musyoka said the matter should have been referred to the Judicial Service Commission. The case has been postponed to 9 October.