Mama Lucy Hospital CEO Emma Mutio and two other suspects will spend two more days in police custody, as investigating officer sources for more evidence on child trafficking charge. – By Enock Mukoma
Ms. Emma and the other accused suspects; administrator Regina Musembi and Leparan Makalah were nabbed following an expose on child trafficking by the BBC Africa.
They were remanded on Thursday November 18th by magistrate Bernard Ochoi following a successful application by the prosecution.
The two-day detainment was based on a concern by prosecution by virtue of the suspects positions in the facility to either conceal, tamper or destroy the crucial information that will document evidence that the prosecution is seeking.
“Having considered the concerns, I allow the respondents to be remanded for further two days to allow investigating officers to finish the investigations. The investigating officer will visit the hospital and collect documents in the presence of the suspects,” the magistrate ruled.
The DCIO acted on the alleged offense after BBC aired a clip of showing social worker Leparan negotiating to sell abandoned children and later receiving a substantive amount.
The did not take plea to any charges as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations sought 10 days to detain them pending further investigations.
Defense council and prosecution obliged to the ruling, however the defense council led by Danston Omari raised an issue on when the two days were to with tomorrow being Friday.
Magistrate Ochoi was to give further direction on the matter.
The suspects are to be held at Kileleshwa Police Station and the matter will come up for mention on November 23.
