An senior police officer accused of murdering a Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University student in Kisumu’s Mamboleo area has pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The accused, Sebastian Ambani appeared before High court Judge Fred Ochieng’ on Monday afternoon where he denied the count. Ambani, who is a police boss at Kehancha Police Station is accused of killing Brian Chacha two weeks ago using a pistol while at a drinking joint.
Justice Ocheing’, however, directed that Ambani remains in custody for the next two days awaiting a mental examination to be conducted on him.
Richard Onsongo, the advocate representing the accused blamed the prosecution for high lethargy in conducting investigations into to the matter.
Onsongo stated that Ambani’s constitutional right of a fair trial was being breached by the prosecution whom he also blamed to be in an extended contempt of court.
“The High Court had directed last week that he takes his plea on the afternoon of May 18 and be released on a personal bond of 500,000 shillings. The prosecution has however not granted any of the court orders,” said Onsongo.
Gloria Barasa, the advocate from the prosecution told the court that the accused could not have taken the plea as ordered by the court since investigations were still underway and a mental examination had also not been conducted.
The accused will be held at Kodiaga maximum Prison for the next two days after which he will be presented before the Judge pending being released on bond.