Last ICC witness in Ruto, Sang case fails to testify for the third time
Deputy President William Ruto and his defence team at The Hague. Mr Ruto, no stranger to land controversies, declared himself a clean man and defended the Jubilee administration against claims of runaway corruption. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- ICC judges are Thursday expected to make a decision on the way forward regarding this last witness.
- The witness had been expected to testify on Monday when the Court resumed its session.
- While the prosecution has requested for more weeks to look for the witness, the defence said only a few days should be granted as the witnesses had been given enough time to give their testimony.
- The court conducted a private session Wednesday and called for another status conference Thursday where the judges will make a decision on the prosecution’s request and the position taken by the defence.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) judges are Thursday expected to make a decision on the way forward regarding the last witness who was expected to testify in the case facing Deputy President William Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua arap Sang.
This was the third time the case was being adjourned because the witness had not turned up to give the much awaited evidence.
While the prosecution has requested for more weeks to look for the witness, the defence said only a few days should be granted as the witnesses had been given enough time to give their testimony.
The prosecution said the witness – PO727 – who is the 30th to testify in the case was critical as they had important evidence to give.
TESTIMONY CRUCIAL
The prosecution still hopes that the witness whose testimony is considered crucial in determining the truth will still testify through a video link as ordered by Trial Chamber V (A) judges Chile Eboe-Osuji (presiding), Olga Herrera Carbuccia and Robert Fremr in February 2015.
The court conducted a private session Wednesday and called for another status conference Thursday where the judges will make a decision on the prosecution’s request and the position taken by the defence.
The witness had been expected to testify on Monday when the Court resumed its session.
The court had postponed the trial session to make room for the witness.
Thursday’s status conference will determine the next phase of the case depending on what decision the judges will take concerning the last witness.
