New Twist in Babu Owino’s Case as Judge Makes Major Decision

The attempted murder case pitting Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili, alias Babu Owino, got a new twist after the judge withdrew from the case citing bail controversy.

According to the Star, chief Magistrate Francis Andayi recused himself from the case on Tuesday.

FILE: Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

The development comes after several weeks of public uproar over bail terms he granted the MP in a case where he is facing manslaughter charges.

In January Babu was involved in a shooting incident at Kilimani based entertainment joint, B-Club, in Nairobi.

On January 27th, Chief Magistrate Andayi directed the MP to deposit the cash bail in four instalments of Sh2.5 million each in the next three months to settle Felix Orinda alias DJ Evolve’s medical bill.

The magistrate also barred Babu from taking an alcoholic drink or narcotic drug in a public establishment during the pendency of the case.

Andayi ruled that Orinda’s family was unable to settle the hospital bill accruing at the Nairobi hospital where he was admitted after allegedly being shot by the MP.

Babu was on January 20 committed to remand after denying unlawfully attempting to cause the death of a Nairobi DJ and carrying a firearm while drunk and disorderly after shooting at Nairobi’s B-Club on January 17.

Andayi declined a request to have the legislator detained at the Gigiri Police Station where he had been held since being arrested and instead committed him to Industrial Area Remand Prison.

Babu was accused of unlawfully attempting to kill Orinda after shooting him in the neck, contrary to Section 222 of the Penal Code.

Owino also faced a second charge arising from his disorderly conduct while armed, the prosecution telling the court the legislator violated Sections 33 and 31 (1) of the Firearms Act.

The Act (Section 33) prescribes imprisonment for a term not exceeding a year, a fine not exceeding Sh10,000 or both for any person found guilty of carrying a firearm while drunk or disorderly.

CCTV footage from the club showed a man believed to be the legislator shooting the DJ, while smoking shisha, and surrounded by friends.The DJ is still recuperating at Nairobi Hospital following surgeries to remove the bullet that was lodged in his neck.

Additional Reporting by the Standard.

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