Cohen's family contests Murgor defending Wairimu

Sarah Wairimu’s lawyer Philip Murgor at a Milimani court. [George Njunge/Standard]

Sarah Wairimu, the widow of slain businessman Tob Cohen, did not plead to murder charges yesterday after the victim's family objected to lawyer Philip Murgor representing her.

Lawyer Cliff Ombeta, who is representing the late Cohen’s family, said Mr Murgor (pictured) was a public prosecutor and that his gazette notice had not been revoked.

“The fact that Murgor claims to have a resignation letter cannot be adopted by the court because such a letter cannot revoke a gazette notice,” said Mr Ombeta.

The parties yesterday appeared before Lady Justice Stella Mutuku, where Wairimu was expected to plead to murder charges.

On the other hand, State prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki, in an application, asked the court to find Murgor and Wairimu in contempt of court because they addressed the media during Cohen’s burial against a gag order.

“I want more time, probably a week, to confirm whether the gazette notice where Murgor has been a Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was revoked,” added Ms Mwaniki.

She told the court that the suspect could not take plea without representation.

Murgor on the other hand said he was no longer the DPP.

"I'm ready to swear an affidavit and serve it to the prosecution to prove that my gazette notice was revoked and that I am no longer a public prosecutor," he said.

He said the prosecution was just trying to use delay tactics on the matter to continue holding his client in custody for no reason.

“I have been standing here representing Wairimu, and no one has ever raised an objection. Now that we have come for plea taking, the prosecution opposes my representation to her, which is unfair,” added Murgor.

“The prosecution must be mindful to the fact that the suspect has been denied bail for over 30 days,” Murgor told Justice Mutuku.