Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi during a past court hearing. [Photo/ samawatilive.co.ke]
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi on Tuesday appeared before a Mombasa Court over allegations of causing chaos during the ODM nominations.The lawmaker and other persons not before the court are accused of tampering with election materials during the party primaries held on April 22, 2017 contrary to the election guidelines.Mwinyi, through his lawyer Jared Magolo, had asked the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to quash the case, arguing that the offense he is accused of committing does not fall under the Election Offences Act.Chief Magistrate Erick Makori, however, said the charges leveled against the MP are punishable under the law and directed the DPP to proceed with the case. Mwinyi is accused of destroying ballot papers at different polling stations including Al-Inshadi Nursery school, Mwidani social hall and Bomu primary school.He is also facing charges of obstructing a poll officer from executing his duties and assaulting Agapo Ndwiga, a security officer.Mwinyi denied the charges and pleaded with the court to release him on lenient bail terms arguing he is a law-abiding elected Member of Parliament and thus has no reason to abscond court.However, State Counsel Yamina Jami told the court to strictly consider the circumstances of the case and issue tough bail terms.Mwinyi was released on a surety bond of Sh400, 000, Baraka FM reports.The MP is set to appear in court on November 21 and 22, 2017.