Lawyer Paul Gicheru, who was charged with compromising witnesses who were to testify against President William Ruto at the International Criminal Court, died without knowing his fate after the trial ended in late June.
Trial judge Miatta Maria Samba stated that the chamber would deliberate on the proceedings and make a decision on conviction or acquittal within a reasonable time frame.
Mr Gicheru surrendered to the authorities of the Netherlands-based court on November 2, 2020, in response to this arrest warrant for offenses against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court.
The arrest warrants for Mr Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett were issued under seal on March 10, 2015, and were unsealed on September 10, 2015.
On charges of obstructing the course of justice, the court issued arrest warrants for three Kenyans: Walter Barasa, Paul Gicheru, and Phillip Bett.
On March 10, 2015, trial chamber Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova issued an arrest warrant under seal against Mr Gicheru.
Mr Gicheru was released to Kenya on February 1, 2021, after being surrendered to the ICC custody following the completion of necessary national proceedings, according to the Court.
In July of last year, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber A confirmed the Prosecutor’s charges of crimes against the administration of justice against Mr Gicheru and committed him to trial.
On February 15, 2022, his trial officially began, with him pleading not guilty to all charges and the prosecution making its opening statements and presenting its eight witnesses.
The Prosecutor’s Office, led by senior trial lawyer Anton Steynberg, concluded its evidence presentation on March 29, 2022, while Mr Gicheru’s lawyers announced on April 25, 2022, that he would not call any witnesses.
