On Monday, March 13, a Kenyan security officer facing assault charges left the court in stitches when he urged the magistrate to buy him a plate of ugali and grant him bail because someone might rob him of his lovely wife if he goes to jail.
Private guard Japheth Olindo told Senior Principal Magistrate Keynes Odhiambo that he hadn’t eaten his favorite cuisine, ugali, since he was arrested over the weekend. He said that this had rendered him weak and unable to take plea.
“Your honor before charging me kindly buy me ugali. I am very hungry. No food was given to me while in the police cell. I am about to faint in your court, please do something before charging me,” Mr Olindo told the court in the midst of laughter from the courtroom.
The magistrate promised to buy him food after taking a plea.
“I have heard your concerns and for today I will make sure that I buy you food before leaving this court, just take your plea and count on my promise,” the Magistrate told him.
Mr. Olindo, who was charged with assault and causing great bodily harm, reportedly voiced concern that his wife would be taken by someone else while he was in detention.
He pleaded not guilty to the accusation and asked the magistrate to consider releasing him on a favourable release because he only makes Sh6,000 as a guard and was concerned that if he remained in detention for too long, someone would elope with his wife.
“As I stand in the dock my worry is if I will be detained for long someone might rob me of my beautiful wife. She is even here in court together with my child, kindly release me on Sh2,000 bond and I will comply with court directions by ensuring that I always come to court whenever required,” he told the magistrate.
Mr Olindo is charged with assaulting two people on March 10 at the Sugoi area within Turbo Sub County.
He denied the charges claiming that his employer framed him after he reported them at Turbo police station for assaulting him.
The court released him on Sh10,000 cash bail from Sh20,000 after he pleaded with the court.
The matter will be mentioned on March 16, 2023.