Kiambu Pastor charged for aiding lawyer Paul Magu commit suicide

Pastor Ann Wambui Wanyoro at a Kiambu Court yesterday where she was charged with aiding the suicide of lawyer Paul Magu last year. [PHOTO: JOHN KARUME/STANDARD]

KIAMBU COUNTY: Pastor Ann Wambui Wanyoro was Tuesday charged in a Kiambu court with aiding a suicide.

Ms Wanyoro, who was arraigned before Kiambu chief magistrate John Oyiengo, was charged that on diverse dates between November 23 to 26 last year at Mokongeni in Thika, Kiambu county she helped Paul Magu to kill himself.

She denied the charge and her lawyer Waithera Mwangi requested the court to release her on bail.

However, homicide officer Gilbert Kitalia, who is investigating the matter, in a sworn affidavit sought the court's permission to continue holding her in custody, arguing that the suspect might interfere with investigations if released.

"There is a possibility that more suspects linked to the murder of the five family members and dumping of the body of Lydia Magu at Paradise Lost will be arrested and jointly charged with the first suspect," Mr Kitalia said.

The officer also told the court that they have credible intelligence information that unknown people have been visiting the suspect's rural home in Mang'u and her residence at Makongeni in Thika and they may harm her.

He added that as the investigations continue, they are likely to prefer more charges on her, adding that the charges she is facing attract life imprisonment if she is found guilty so if released on bail she might run.

Kitalia informed the court that they discovered that Magu had appointed someone to hold several properties in trust, some of which are yet to be traced and Wambui has knowledge of where the properties are located and might interfere with the probe.

PRODUCE EVIDENCE

But her lawyer accused the police of laxity in their investigations as they have taken 39 days to conduct investigations while still holding her.

Waithera asked the officer to produce enough evidence there have been people at the suspect's rural home and in her residence who are out to harm her, adding that the suspect will not run if she is released.

The magistrate is set to make a ruling a today as to whether the suspect will be released on bail and supplied with charge sheet and witness statements.