Lawyer Paul Gicheru, who was also an ICC suspect accused of witness interference in the case against President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Arap Sang’. Mr Gicheru had turned himself in to the ICC in November 2020, this was after an arrest warrant was issued against him.
The controversial lawyer was then appeared before the court four days after his surrender. Months later in February 2021, Gicheru was released and handed over to Kenyan authorities with restrictions. This happened when the Kenyan authorities failed to convince the ICC to put him on witness protection in Netherlands.
The ICC pretrial chamber had confirmed the charges of offence brought against him by the prosecution. Key among the offences was that of witness bribery and intimidation to recant their evidences before the court.The ICC accused Mr Gicheru and others of conspiring to communicate with witnesses, deceive them and use corrupt means that prompted them to withdraw from the case.
In June, the International Criminal Court (ICC) closed the trial of lawyer Gicheru over the alleged bribery of witnesses that were to testify against President William Ruto concerning the 2007 post-election violence that left 1,200 people dead.
His lawyers and ICC prosecutors clashed in their counter-arguments at the end of the trial that lasted 19 months, where President Ruto was mentioned multiple times.
Trial judge Miatta Maria Samba said the chamber will deliberate on the proceedings and, within a reasonable period, pronounce its decision on either conviction or acquittal.
The cause of death is yet to be established although reports say that he was found dead in his home with foam in his mouth. Mr Gicheru is said to have had late lunch before retiring to bed, unfortunately he was found dead at around 7PM. The family promised to issue a comprehensive statement later today even as his son is battling for life in hospital after collapsing.
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