Ian Njoroge released on Ksh700K bond
By Mustafa Juma, June 7, 2024Ian Njoroge, the University student who assaulted a traffic police officer in Mirema, Kasarani has been freed on a Ksh700,000 bond.
The 19-year-old was on Friday, June 7, 2024, presented at Milimani Law Courts for a ruling on his bail application.
However, the probation officers had asked the court for seven extra days to file their submissions, but the court gave them up to 2 pm.
Ian Njoroge charged
The prosecution had sought to charge Njoroge with robbery with violence, and causing grievous harm.
While granting him bail, the court ruled that the robbery with violence charge against Njoroge was unconstitutional since section 96 (2) of the Penal Code where the said offence was anchored was declared unconstitutional by the High Court.
Activist Boniface Mwangi is among the Kenyans who went to Milimani Law Courts to follow the proceedings of Njoroge’s case.
“The police claim because Ian Njoroge allegedly assaulted an officer, he will be in imminent danger if released because other officers want “revenge.” The magistrate has said that’s a “ghastly thought” coming from the police. Ian has been released on a bond of Ksh 700,000,” Mwangi posted on his official X account after Ian Njoroge was granted the bond.
The prosecution had opposed the bail, arguing that Njoroge should not be released on bail and/or bond because he is a flight risk.
Prosecution on Ian Njoroge bail
DCI Investigating Officer Josephat Rotich had also argued in an affidavit that the accused person never turned himself in after the incident.
However, the court dismissed the application as implausible since it is not supported by any evidence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had on June 6, 2024, said the Principal Prosecution Counsel Victor Owiti, and Prosecution Counsel James Gachoka and Virginia Kariuki had told Milimani Law Courts magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi that there were compelling reasons to deny Njoroge bail.
“The prosecution counsel argued further that it was in the interest of justice that the accused person is not granted bail as the offences he is charged with are serious in nature. The prosecution further explained to the court that the denial of bail will send a warning to the public about the consequences of assaulting police officers and public servants in the line of duty,” ODPP said in a statement via X.
Ian Njoroge went viral last week when he was captured in a video assaulting a traffic police officer.
While defending his act, he argued that he was angered after he failed to reach an agreement with the officer who demanded a huge bribe.
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