New revelations have emerged in the crimes against humanity cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC) which Deputy President William Ruto battled years back.
This follows the voluntary surrender of Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru who was accused of tampering with witnesses in the case more than five years ago.
The ICC in its latest records said that one of the witnesses who was set to testify but was “bought off” by Gicheru had a startling testimony against the DP, cites Daily Nation.
The witness who was among six other witnesses according to ICC records spoke of purchasing of guns while another said he would get instructions on how to coordinate attacks.
Gicheru now faces charges of corruptly influencing witnesses P-397, P-516, P-613, P-800, P-495 and P-536.
ICC records show that P-397, got a financial award of Ksh1 million to recant initial statements and was later ‘abducted’ when he expressed willingness to testify.
“The timing of the occurrence of the ‘abduction’, shortly after the witness resumed contact with the prosecution, is consistent with the prosecution’s suggestion that the witness may be detained by persons who may wish him harm,” a ruling by ICC judges in 2014 stated.
It is against this premise that Gicheru will be charged with.
His Kenyan lawyer John Khaminwa said that he did not know how or when he decided to surrender himself to Dutch authorities.
After the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him in 2015, Gicheru through Khaminwa moved to the High Court to fight his extradition which yielded good fruits.
Justice Luka Kimaru barred his extradition which gave him a new lease of life.
Now, Khaminwa says that he does not understand why his client made such a decision.
“I obtained good orders for him, that he should not be extradited and that matter had ended and I am surprised. I am wondering why he surrendered,” he told the Standard.
Khaminwa added that Gicheru who is of ill health is currently not in custody and that he has spoken to his wife who accompanied him.
“I have spoken to his wife in The Hague and they are fine. Paul Gicheru as I know him does not enjoy good health at all and I hope that authorities in Hague will not put him into custody. I know him as a client and he should continue to be free.”
Already, ICC’s pre-trial chamber is set for the full hearing of Gicheru’s case.
