Magistrate that granted Embakasi East MP Babu Owino controversial bail terms has quit the lawmaker’s attempted murder case.
Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi has decided to withdraw himself from the case as state seeks to have the bail terms reviewed.
His withdrawal comes after eyebrows were raised following the bail terms that were granted to the youthful MP at the time of his release.
The Director of Public Prosecutions had faulted bail terms issued by a magistrate’s court in freeing the youthful lawmaker.
DPP Noordin Haji said he was taken aback by the court’s decision to release the legislator on what he termed as “free bond” and now wants the High Court to call the file from the trial magistrate, with a view of examining the circumstances, legality, and propriety of the orders issued on January 27.
The MP who is charged with attempting to murder Felix Odhiambo Orinda (DJ Evolve) was released on a Sh10 million cash bail to be paid in installments and channeled towards the victim’s hospital bill.
Magistrate Francis Andayi had ruled that the MP shall meet the initial medical expenses of the victim and to this end up to the value of Sh10 million, an amount he said was equivalent to the value of cash bail the court had set for him.
On the other hand, Babu had also filed an application seeking a review of his bail terms on the grounds that he would struggle to pay the remaining installments despite having complied with the court order.
