The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
A woman risks being charged with perjury after she confessed that she lied to the police, accusing her brother-in-law of raping her after his wife caught them in the act.
While withdrawing her case, Lilian Mawa Anjeru told the Senior Resident magistrate of Kakamega, Erick Malesi that what happened was not rape but consensual sex and had lied to avoid the wrath of his brother-in-law’s wife.
Immediately the two were busted having sex, Lillian reportedly turned dramatic and rushed to Navakholo Police Station to report that her brother-in-law, Friedrick Okoko had raped her.
She reported that she had been raped on March 28 at their Eshihongo Estate in Navakholo making the police arrest Okoko and charge him with rape.
However, when the matter came up for hearing last week, Lillian stunned the court after she sought to forgive her in-law.
“I rushed to the police since I was found by my in-law’s wife in her house and I suspected that she would harm me. I gave false testimony that I was raped but when it was actually consensual sex,” she told the magistrate.
She insisted: “He is my in-law, I would not wish to see him suffer if he is found culpable of the said offence since the charges are malicious.”
She told the court that both her and Okoko are married to different spouses but are fond of each other.
The state prosecutor, Hilda Akinyi said the charges cannot be sustained since the key witness is no longer interested to proceed with the matter.
Akinyi produced a P3 and Post Care Rape Forms to the court, showing clearly that there was penetration.
“In light to what the victim has said, clearly the charges cannot stand. We wish not to proceed with these charges,” said Ms Akinyi.
This prompted the magistrate to order Lillian to be remanded for a day for giving misleading information to the magistrate.
“It is evident that the complainant is a person who deliberately gave false information to the police, leading to these criminal charges against the accused. This is an offence and she should take responsibility and made to bear the consequences,” said Mr Malesi.
However, after spending a night in the hands of the police, the magistrate acquitted the two but recommended further investigations into Lillian’s conduct.
