Dr Njue, ex-government pathologist, case deferred

Forensic pathologist and former Government chief pathologist Dr Moses Njue. [James Mwangi, Standard]

The case in which a former government pathologist is accused of stealing a heart from a body has been deferred.

Moses Njue (pictured) has denied stealing a heart from Benedict Karau's body during a postmortem in March 2015.  Mr Karau was a former AP officer and Ankamia sub-location chief.

The case was scheduled for hearing on Monday but was postponed to October 29 since Meru chief magistrate, Hannah Ndung’u, who is handling the matter is, on leave.

The prosecution said it was ready to proceed with the case and had lined up six witnesses.

Eleven witnesses, among them three doctors, are expected to testify against Dr Njue.

Njue is represented by Victor Andande while Wangai Kiama is representing Karau’s family.

Out on bail

Njue is out on bail after he denied three counts when he was charged before Meru chief magistrate, Lucy Ambasi on June 18.

The pathologist denied that on March 12, 2015, at Consolata Hospital in Imenti South, he stole a heart during a postmortem on Karau’s body.

The second count states that the doctor destroyed evidence.

He, also faced a charge of illegal removal of parts of a body contrary to Section 13 of the Anatomy Act.

Separately, an inquest into Karau's death is set for September 11.

Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered the inquiry after the family requested.