The trial in the case against Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru has entered its final stages following closing statements that took place before Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court on 27 June 2022.
The Office of the Prosecutor and the Defense for Gicheru presented their final arguments before Judge Miatta Maria Samba of ICC Trial Chamber III.
“Trial Chamber III will deliberate on the proceedings and, within a reasonable period, pronounce its decision on conviction or acquittal pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute,” said ICC in a statement.
“The Chamber bases its decision only on the applicable law and on evidence submitted and discussed before it at the trial,” it added.
The trial in the case opened on 15 February 2022 before Trial Chamber III for alleged offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses regarding cases from the situation in Kenya.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
8 witnesses have testified for the prosecution, the last one finished testifying on 24 March 2022.
The Office of the Prosecutor completed its presentation of evidence on 29 March 2022.
The Defence announced on 25 April 2022 that it will not call any witnesses.
On 2 November 2020, Paul Gicheru surrendered to the authorities of The Netherlands pursuant to an ICC arrest warrant issued under seal on 10 March 2015 and unsealed on 10 September 2015. On 3 November 2020, Paul Gicheru was surrendered to ICC custody after the completion of the necessary national proceedings.
His first appearance before the Court took place on 6 November 2020.
On 1 February 2021, he was released to Kenya with specific conditions restricting liberty.
On 15 July 2021, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber A confirmed the charges of offences against the administration of justice brought by the Prosecutor against Paul Gicheru and committed him to trial.
The trial opened on 15 February 2022, where the lawyer was accused of bribing witnesses to either recant their testimonies or refuse to testify in the crimes against humanity case that faced Deputy President William Ruto and former journalist Joshua Sang.
Cases against the two were officially terminated in April 2016 after they were found to have no case to answer.
