Justice Ong’undi overruled a directive by Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court requiring him to get clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the NLC Chief Executive Officer before entering his office/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Embattled National Land Commission Chairperson Muhammad Swazuri can now access his office unconditionally following a ruling by Anti-Corruption Division Judge Hedwig Ong’undi.
Justice Ong’undi overruled a directive by Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court requiring him to get clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the NLC Chief Executive Officer before entering his office.
The judge says the Magistrate’s Court failed to assess the impact of the order it gave.
The judge observed that this could be viewed as if the anti-graft commission is controlling the affairs of NLC, yet the two are independent institutions.
Swazuri, alongside Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina and 17 others are out on bond over Sh222 million lost during the compensation of land acquired for first phase of the Standard Gauge Railway.
Trial Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi on August 28 had ruled that Swazuri can only access the office under supervision to avoid interference with prosecution witnesses.
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