Presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi is now a free man after a Nairobi court ordered his unconditional release after lifting a warrant of arrest issued against him and his wife.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi ordered that the proceedings against him and his wife be halted until further directions are given by the High court.
“I lift the warrant of arrest against Wanjigi and order that he be set free and released from custody”, Ochoi ruled.
The Court ordered that the presidential candidate be released from Police custody after the Director of Public Prosecutions through Everlyn Onunga verified that the Conservatory order issued by Justice Anthony Mrima was genuine.
“We are satisfied that the orders of stay produced before this court are genuine. We will abide by the orders of the High Court,” she said.
Ochoi stated that in light with the High Court order, the lower court could not continue with the proceedings until further directions from the High Court.
“In light of these submissions, it is noted that the High Court issued conservatory orders barring the arrest and prosecution of Wanjigi and his wife Irene Nzisa. Therefore the criminal proceedings against him cannot proceed until further directions are issued by the High Court,” he ordered.
The magistrate also suspended summons issued against Wanjigi’s wife Irene Nzisa.
However, the court confirmed that the summons will remain in force against the six other suspects. The six are expected to appear in court on Monday for plea taking as they are no stay order suspending their prosecution
After his release, his lawyer Willis Otieno accused the DCI George Kinoti of having a personal vendetta against Wanjingi.
“The DCI seems to have a personal vendetta against my client because of the High Court case where he was committed to Civil jail,” he said
Otieno stayed the arrest and arraignment of Jimi Wanjigi were meant to embarrass him.
