Eight fake lawyers were arraigned in Nanyuki court

Nanyuki,

Thursday April 20, 2023

K.N.A. - By Muturi Mwangi

Eight suspects masquerading as lawyers in Laikipia County were yesterday arraigned before a Nanyuki court ahead of the ruling on bond application today.

Appearing before Nanyuki resident Magistrate Ms Lisper Nyagah, the investigation officer Evanson Kirua urged the court to continue holding the suspects for 14 days until investigations are completed.

He said they would need more time to get a report from the law society of Kenya on the status of the accused academic qualifications and if they are registered as advocates of the High court of Kenya.

He decried that many innocent Kenyans had been defrauded by the suspects who pretended to offer legal services.

The investigations officer further pointed out that rubber stamps, signatures specimens and some money were recovered from the quack lawyers.

“The arresting officers recovered monies from the suspects which are the proceeds of illegal dealings and various documents which are yet to be verified. Witnesses have also not recorded statements,” said the investigation officer, noting those were some of the compelling reasons to continue holding the suspects in custody.

Kiogora Mugambi, a lawyer representing the suspects argued that the suspects had not been informed of their charges hence no need to continue holding them at police cells as their rights and freedom were being violated.

“The prosecutor has not demonstrated if there are any justifiable reasons to continue detaining the suspects. He has not referred to any annexes showing any compelling reasons as to why the suspects should continue to be held in custody,” argued Mugambi.

He said the suspects were not a flight risk and would not interfere with witnesses on the ongoing investigations. He appealed to the court to grant the suspects reasonable bond terms, noting they would strictly follow court matters until the investigations are complete.

The resident Magistrate will make a ruling on whether to grant suspects a bond or not on Thursday (today).

The suspects were arrested on Wednesday in Nanyuki town after an operation led by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the office of the Directorate of Criminal investigations.

Nanyuki Chapter LSK chairperson Joseph Mwangi said they carried out the operation to rid out the fake lawyers following a public outcry.

“In this town we have had a serious problem with quacks and the members of the public, many of them had lost their money particularly on land transactions. What prompted us to make a formal report to the law enforcement agencies is that we noted that those transactions had become quite rampant in this town,” said Mwangi.

He revealed the suspects draw sale agreements, transfers and prepare court documents on issues of succession cases among others.

The LSK official noted that the bogus lawyers had gone to an extent of impersonating advocates in court proceedings.

The LSK called on citizens to be cautious when seeking legal services by verifying their authenticity from the office.

COURTESY: K.N.A.

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