Humphrey Kariuki tax evasion case adjourned after co-accused falls sick
Businessman Humphrey Kariuki at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on February 9, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Mr Kariuki and Mr Njenga are charged alongside Robert Mureithi, Simon Maundu and Kefa Gakure in two consolidated cases whose prosecution is being led by KRA prosecutor Sheila Sanga.
A court on Tuesday allowed a man charged alongside businessman Humphrey Kariuki in a Sh41 billion tax evasion case to seek medical care following reports that he was unwell.
Nairobi chief magistrate Francis Andayi was ready to proceed with the case which is now being prosecuted by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Mr Andayi noted, however, that “one can only follow court proceedings once in good health” and that good health is a primary constitutional right.
Allowing Mr Kariuki’s co-accused, Mr Peter Njenga, to seek medical care, he adjourned the case, which has been pending in court for two years, to June 29.
Mr Njenga was asked to consult his doctor to get a clean bill of health before the trial resumes.
Mr Andayi directed Mr Njenga to present a medical report to the court on June 9 to enable him make an informed decision on when the trial should resume.
He asked the lawyers to reserve June 29 and 30 as tentative trial dates. The magistrate asked the lawyers to block July 2 and 3 as other hearing dates.
Ready to proceed
Mr Kariuki and Mr Njenga are charged alongside Robert Mureithi, Simon Maundu and Kefa Gakure in two consolidated cases whose prosecution is being led by KRA prosecutor Sheila Sanga.
Ms Sanga told the court that she had lined up two witnesses who were ready to testify.
Mr Kariuki’s lawyers, senior counsel Kioko Kilukumi an Cecil Miller, said they were ready to proceed with the case in which the businessman was charged with tax evasion in 2018.
The lawyers said they would indulge Mr Njenga since “it is no one’s fault to fall ill”.
Besides Mr Njenga’s health concern, his lead lawyer, Philip Murgor, withdrew from the case.
KRA powers
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has given prosecutorial authority to KRA to lead evidence in the case against the businessman.
The DPP brought two tax-related cases against Mr Kariuki, an alcoholic beverages manufacturer, and seven others, before bringing KRA on board.
Mr Haji reduced the number of charges against Mr Kariuki from 19 to 11 in the fresh case filed before Mr Andayi.
Earlier, Mr Kilukumi and Mr Miller raised concerns about non-compliance with a court order for the Thika-based liquor factory to be handed over to its owners.
The lawyers also objected to the request by KRA for the hearing to take place at the factory, saying the DPP and taxman were in contempt of court for “failing to hand over the factory despite an order to do so”.
Mr Kariuki and his co-accused were earlier charged in three different cases with tax-related offences.
The third one was thrown out by the court in December 2020.
