The JKIA Law Court has rejected an application seeking the recusal of the court in a miscellaneous matter involving the detention of five suspects connected to the assassination of Kasipul Constituency MP, Hon. Charles Were.
In its ruling, the court held that it has the authority to preside over the matter, dismissing claims that it lacked territorial jurisdiction.
Presiding Magistrate Gichobi clarified that the court is not conducting a full trial, but merely handling a miscellaneous application, which falls within its jurisdiction.
The first suspect in the case, Ebel Ochieng, through his legal team led by Advocate Danstan Omari, has expressed intent to escalate the jurisdictional issue to the High Court for determination.
Ochieng had earlier strongly objected to the JKIA Law Court hearing the matter, arguing that it lacked the territorial jurisdiction to do so.