Ruling on bond application for a prominent Nyeri Businessman accused of orchestrating the murder of his son has been postponed for one more week.
The matter was coming up today for ruling at the High Court in Nyeri on whether the accused, Stephen Kinini Wang’ondu and his four accomplices would be released on bond after denying murdering 32-year-old Daniel Mwangi.
The case which was coming before trial Judge, Justice Florence Muchemi, was deferred as the Court was said to be on vacation until April 8th when she is expected to deliver her ruling.
The five have been charged with murder of Mwangi on the night of December 31, 2020 in Mwiyogo Village in Kieni West Sub-County, Nyeri.
The 74-year-old business magnate is said to have orchestrated the gruesome murder of his biological son following a family dispute where he allegedly paid the assassins who are four co-accused Sh 160, 000.
They include his driver, James Mahinda, Eddy Kariuki, Raphael Wachira and Geoffrey Warutumo who are being held in separate prisons within the region.
The last time the five were in Court on March 9th, the prosecution vehemently opposed their release on bond, citing seriousness of the case, possible interference with witnesses and possibility of absconding once freed.
The prosecution also informed the Court that it had gathered incriminating evidence against the Businessman who could have planned the execution of his son for his selfish interest including a Sh 2.5 million insurance claim.
An affidavit filed by Investigating Officer, Joyce Maluki, pointed out insurance fraud as a possible area of the ongoing investigations.
The defense team for the accused, however, raised objection, arguing that they were innocent unless otherwise proven guilty by the Court.
The family of the Businessman, including his wife, three daughters and the deceased estranged wife, Scholastica Wachuka, sought to be enjoined in the case as interested parties.
They, however, clarified that their interest was only in knowing the truth behind the murder with regard to who did it and the motive behind it.
By Samuel Waititu
