Siaya magistrate accused of stealing Sh 10000, phone released on bail

KISUMU, KENYA: A Kisumu court has released a magistrate on bond after he was charged with robbery with violence contrary to section 296 (2) of the penal code.

The Siaya magistrate, Jared Sani, 33, was released on a cash bail of Sh30, 000 and bond of Sh100, 000 on Monday after he pleaded not guilty of the charges.

The court heard that on 21st December 2014 in Siaya town jointly with a police officer not before the court they robbed Samson Ogeda Sh10, 000, one Nokia mobile phone worth Sh5000 and used actual violence on the victim.

The case of the magistrate who has now been interdicted will be heard on 21st January 2016, where witnesses will give evidence.

According to the county criminal investigation officer (CCIO)Justus Burudi, the accused was reported by the complainant Samson Ogolla a few hours after he was abducted and robbed.

Burudi said that the complainant had just arrived from Nairobi by Easy coach bus and was waiting for a public means to go home in Ulafu village, Siaya, when suddenly a white salon car (KBW 147A) Toyota parked next to the gate of Easy coach offices.

"They ordered the complainant to get inside but when he refused they forcefully took him and drove off. After few minutes' drive they stopped and ordered him to give everything he had and threw him out of the car," said Burudi.

The CCIO added that they drove few meters away from the victim and stopped, something that helped the complainant see the cars' number plate and the people inside the car whom he had revealed were three.

Burudi mentioned that with the help of a good Samaritan the complainant went to report to the police and just before he left, the salon car that had been used to arrest him drove into the station.

"When he saw a policeman dressed in work uniform get out of the car he quickly identified him and the driver who was the magistrate. We took both the police and magistrate in for investigation. The policeman is however at large," Burudi said.