Man accused of assaulting Kenyan politician wants case adjourned

A Somali national who was charged with assaulting a Kenyan politician told a Makadara Court that he was not ready to present his evidence to court, therefore, requested for an adjournment.

Jamal Mohammed who was placed on his defense during the last hearing said he planned to call five witnesses who would testify in his favour in the case.

Through his lawyer Cohen, Jamal said some of his witnesses would be coming from far, therefore, was not able to attend court to testify in the case.

He made an application for adjournment before Magistrate Eunice Kimaiyo claiming that there were five of his witnesses who were not in court.

The prosecution had opposed an application for adjournment arguing that it was a well-planned plot to delay the case.

“Since the accused is present in court, he can as well give his testimony instead of calling for other witnesses,” said the prosecutor.

Magistrate Kimayio said she will allow the application by the defence since it was the first hearing, but directed that the witnesses be availed on September 11,2018.

On July 3, 2018, the court ruled that Jamal had a case to answer in causing grievous harm charges and placed him on his defense.

The magistrate, however, acquitted the accused of charges of being in the country unlawfully on the grounds that the prosecution failed to table enough evidence in court.

The prosecution called five key witnesses who testified before the closure of their case, with both the prosecution and the defense tabling their oral submissions.

Hussein Mohammed who testified in the case said that Jamal attempted to kill him on September 17, 2017 at Eastleigh 7th street in Kamukunji.

He said Jamal used his boots to step on him after he fell to the ground, leaving him with serious injuries on the left leg.

“Two days after the incident the accused called me and said that he wanted to apologize for what he did to me,” said Hussein.

Jamal, who is also an American citizen, is charged with assaulting and causing grievous harm to politician Hussein Mohammed.

The accused denied all the charges and is out on a Kenyan surety bond of Ksh.300,000.