The Office of Public Prosecution (ODPP) on Thursday revealed the strategy it will use to prosecute the National Youth Service (NYS) graft cases.
The prosecution team by Senior Assistant Director Public Prosecutions Joseph Riungu told the court during the inter-party hearing that the ODPP had supplied all witness statements, exhibits and evidence material it intends to use in the trial to defense lawyers.
"Mr Riungu said the ODPP had lined up 43 witnesses to testify in the trial. Among those to testify include IFMIS officers from the National Treasury, bank officials, contractors and document examiners," read a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
The prosecution added that it would render evidence to the court orally, documentary and electronically.
[caption caption="NYS Director General Richard Ndubai and former Youth Principal Secretary Lilian Mbogo Omollo"]
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The trial of former Youth Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Lilian Omollo and 53 other accused persons charged in the Ksh468 Million NYS scandal will start in January next year.
The Trial will run from January 7 to 31, 2019 before Anti-corruption Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko.
Earlier on, the NYS suspects were given an option of returning the loot in exchange for a lighter sentence by Anti-Corruption Court chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti.
He encouraged those on trial to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji before the commencement of the actual trial slated for October 29.
“Parties are hereby encouraged to enter a plea bargain agreement at any stage before judgment is delivered,” Ogoti told the over 50 suspects.
According to the law, suspects are allowed to negotiate with the prosecution anytime before the delivery of the ruling to avoid harsh sentences and prolonging of court cases.
Here is the full statement from the ODPP:
