The Hindu : International / Globescan : Case against First Lady dropped

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 19, 2005

International

International - Globescan

Case against First Lady dropped

NAIROBI: A magistrate dropped assault charges against First Lady Lucy Kibaki after the Attorney-General said neither police nor prosecutors had had time to investigate whether she had slapped a television news cameraman on World Press Freedom Day. Senior Principal Magistrate Rosemelle Mutoka said on Wednesday she had reservations about Attorney General Amos Wako's request, but had to accept it. ``However the court feels it tramples on the rights of the vulnerable, the downtrodden and the helpless in the society ... (the court) cannot reject it,'' Magistrate Mutoka said. ``That is the law and I'm bound by it.'' Clifford Derrick Otieno , who had accused the President's wife of slapping him, told journalists after hearing the ruling he was disappointed. ``We need a new Constitution because the vulnerable have no rights in this country,'' Mr. Otieno said. On Monday, Otieno had filed a private prosecution case against Kibaki for assault. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Diplomats assess aftermath of Uzbekistan violence

Iraqi General assassinated

Galloway turns the tables on U.S. Senators

Edict against suicide attacks in Pakistan; Kashmir exempted

Demand for traditional tea slipping among Britons

Sole survivor of Beslan militant group on trial

South Asian accord on sharing of information

U.S. detains Cuban militant

Muttawakil to contest Afghan polls

Eiffel tower stunt kills parachutist

Case against First Lady dropped