A court in Homabay on Monday rejected an appeal by the prosecution side to detain Migori Governor Okoth Obado's aide Michael Oyamo for 10 more days to allow for further investigations.
Oyamo's name has heavily featured in the murder of Rongo University Medical Records student Sharon Otieno whose body was later found in Kodera Forest, Homabay County.
Appearing before Senior Magistrate Lester Simiyu, the Prosecutor Tom Imbali said that the investigators needed 10 more days to among others, download content from some confiscated gadgets associated with the suspects.
“We have collected many electronic gadgets and we need more time to download information that will enable us to pursue this matter more effectively. Kindly give investigators more time to continue probing him,” Imbali told the court as quoted by the Standard.
But Oyamo's Lawyers Neville Amollo, Rodgers Abisayi and June Ashioya opposed the appeal, noting that it will violate the rights of the suspect.
In her ruling, the Magistrate ordered that he be held for 24 more hours and arraigned again on Tuesday, adding that only one member of his family and advocates be allowed access to him.
“We do not want to violate the rights of a suspect by holding him for long in police custody. I order that the accused be arraigned in High Court tomorrow (Tuesday) or he is released from police custody,” the Magistrate ruled.
Sharon, 26, was found murdered after a botched meeting between her, Oyamo and Nation reporter Barrack Oduor in Rongo, Migori County, Monday night last week.
Oyamo reportedly tricked the two into a car after changing the destination where he was to equip them with some information regarding a graft saga in the county, with the car later speeding off with the two on board.