The trial of a Ksh505 million graft case against Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his four children and others failed to proceed as scheduled on Monday after her daughter gave birth.
Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi adjourned the matter to Tuesday, March 1 after the court was informed that one of Obado's daughter Everlyn Adhiambo gave birth and was unable to attend physical court proceedings.
The magistrate excused the mother of the newborn from attending physical court sessions for three months.
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Mugambi, however, ordered Everlyn who was not present in court to attend court sessions through the virtual platform as from tomorrow while his co-accused will attend the physical trial.
News of pregnancy of Obado's two daughters was first brought to the courts on November 18 last year when Evelyn and her sister Susan Scarlet sought to attend the trial virtually.
The prosecution led by Eva Kanyuira, however, opposed the request by Scarlet's lawyer to have the matter adjourned for the whole of this week, saying that they were ready to proceed with the hearing.
The prosecution also opposed an attempt by Obado to have the case put off since his lawyer Kioko Kilukumi is unwell.
However, Magistrate Mugambi declined the request and ordered his other lawyer Gibson Kimani to be present on Tuesday during the hearing of the case.
Obado's trial is expected to start afresh as ordered on November 18, 2021, following interpretation hitches in the matter
The magistrate ordered the Judiciary to avail a Luo interpreter on March 1, 2022, since some of the accused persons including Peninah Ouma in the case do not understand Swahili or English.
In this case, the governor is charged alongside his four children namely Susan Scarlet, Jerry Zachary, Evelyn Adhiambo and Dan Achola Okoth and others, including businessman Jared Kwaga.
They face several charges of conspiracy to siphon millions of shillings from Migori County Government to entities associated with Governor Okoth Obado's proxies.
