No case without my lawyers, says Barasa

By WILFRED AYAGA

Kenya: Journalist Walter Barasa has objected to a ruling that would allow the High Court to determine an application seeking his extradition to The Hague without the input of his lawyers.

Lawyer Kibe Mungai, representing Barasa, told the court he would file an application to oppose a section of Justice Richard Mwongo’s ruling given yesterday, in which he said that the application would be heard ex-parte.

This means that a decision would be made based solely on the submissions made by lawyers representing the Interior Cabinet Secretary who has filed the application for Barasa’s extradition.

The judge said it would be in the discretion of the court to decide whether Barasa’s lawyers would be allowed to make their submissions on the application, which will be heard on January 20.

“Taking into account the provisions of sections 29 and 30 of the International Crimes Act, but without making a conclusive determination thereon, it is in the discretion of this court to determine if the suspect should be heard thereon,” the judge ruled.

Barasa is wanted by the ICC in connection with the alleged interference of witnesses in the ongoing cases.