Jacob Ochieng Oduor, a University of Nairobi student has been released on Sh10, 000 cash bail by a Nairobi court.
Oduor was arrested on August 17 around Globe Roundabout by police officers from Nairobi Central Police Station.
While appearing before Milimani Senior resident magistrate Jane Kamau, Ochieng the charges.
The prosecution claimed that the accused was nabbed with several rolls of bang valued at Sh2000.
Jacob is currently a 4th-year medical student at UoN.
However during mitigation, he argued that the said bang was implanted on him since he refused to bribe the police.
“Your honor I was arrested in the company of other people who upon search were found with bhang. The police demanded money from me. I didn’t give them because I had no money. I tried explaining to them that I was a student but they refused to listen.”
In response, the duty magistrate said that she could not release him since the court needs to hear from both sides.
In solidarity, a team of two comrades came to ‘stand’ with Oduor but they could only raise Sh500 each to pay for his bail.
“While bailing an accused we look at the nature of the offense. For instance, if found guilty, the fine will be twice the amount of the value of the said bang. If you prove your innocence, the money will be returned back to you. Therefore Sh10, 000 cash bail is the least this court can give, said the magistrate.”
He will appear again in court on August 31 for pretrial.
*This article was written by Meshack Makau for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
