Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu has been arrested at the Supreme Court and taken to the DCI offices for questioning over alleged corruption. This comes in the midst of concerted efforts and the fight against graft in the country. Shortly after her arrest, the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji addressed the press and said he had informed Chief justice David Maraga of the decision to grant consent for arrest and the prosecution of the Deputy Chief Justice on criminal charges.
He said the decision hasn’t been taken lightly, “The decision hasn’t been taken lightly and it’s the right decision under the law. Most of us in the Office of Public Prosecution are officers of the court and the independence of the judiciary is vital to us,” he said. He said he was presented with documents from the DCI offices related to the Deputy Chief Justice and after he perused, the decision to grant consent for her arrest was made. The DPP revealed that the evidence in their possession is sufficient and outlined the reasons for her arrest.
According to the ODPP, Lady Justice Mwilu abused her office for personal gain;Accepted a gift in the form of money in circumstances which undermined public confidence in the integrity of her office; Obtaining execution of a security belonging to Imperial Bank Limited now in receivership by false pretence; Unlawful failure to pay taxes; Conducted herself in disregard of the law, “In the view of the above, I have concluded that the evidence is sufficient with a reasonable prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest that criminal proceedings should be preferred,” said Haji.