The Kenyan-based lawyer Paul Gicheru was charged with offenses against the administration of justice (ICC) consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses regarding cases from the situation in Kenya.
Gicheru who died on Monday, September 26 at his Karen home, was charged by the International Criminal Court following the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya.
The warrant of arrest was issued under seal against Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett on March 10, 2015, and was unsealed on September 10, 2015.
The two were accused of alleged plans to undermine the prosecution’s case in President William Ruto (then deputy president) and Radio presenter Joshua Sang.
On November 2, 2020, Lawyer Gicheru surrendered himself to the authorities of The Netherlands and was capitulated to ICC custody on November 3, 2020.
His first appearance before the ICC took place on November 6, 2020.
On December 11, 2020, Pre-Trial Chamber A severed the cases against Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett.
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On 1 February 2021, Paul Gicheru was released to Kenya with specific conditions restricting liberty, during the confirmation of charges proceedings.
On 15 July 2021, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber A confirmed the charges of offenses against the administration of justice brought by the Prosecutor against Paul Gicheru and committed him to trial.
On 15 February 2022, the trial opened before Trial Chamber III. The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecution then presented its opening statements and called its first witness.
According to the ICC report, ”eight witnesses” testified for the prosecution and 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.
The closing statements, in this case, took place on 27 June 2022.
Who is Paul Gicheru?
He is a well-known Kenyan lawyer born in 1972 in Nandi County.
He went to Kapsabet Boys High School before joined university where he obtained an undergraduate degree in law.
He, later proceeded to the Kenya School of Law for a post-graduate Diploma.
After completing his studies, he went on to work with Kalya and Company Advocates before he left and started his own company, Gicheru and Company Advocates in Eldoret town.
Throuh those who interacted with the lawyer, he is described as a kind, humble man who led a simple life and was not one to flaunt a lavish lifestyle.
He also used to frequent various social joints in Eldoret where he was famed for his generosity. He lived most of his life in Elgon View- a rich neighborhood in the outskirts of Eldoret town before moving to Nairobi.
