Terror suspects to wait longer for bail appeal

By  FRED MAKANA

NAIROBI, KENYA: Four suspected terrorists, alleged to be behind the Westgate Mall siege will know next week if they will be granted bail.

By Wednesday, only one of the suspects had filed a replying affidavit as requested by the prosecutor.

During the mention of the case, State Counsel Mungai Warui told Nairobi Chief Magistrate the defence filed replying affidavits late, and the prosecution needed time to respond.

He requested for two days to get in touch with the investigation officer in the case. “The court made an order for the defence to supply us with replying affidavits but so far we have only received a response from the third accused,” Warui said

The State counsel asked the defence to supply the prosecution with all replying affidavits before close of business yesterday, so as to expedite the case.

However, the third accused’s lawyer Muriethi Mbugua faulted the prosecution for delays in supplying the defence with the documentary exhibits and witness statements it seeks to rely on during trial. A request by Mr Mbugua to proceed with the matter in the absence of his co-accused was turned down by the magistrate who ordered the four to file affidavits.