Embattled National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Muhammad Swazuri has been barred from accessing his office.
Nairobi anti-corruption court chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti issued the temporary orders following an application by DPP Noordin Haji, on Tuesday, claiming Swazuri was interfering with witnesses in his land compensation fraud case.
According to the prosecution, he has also been hampering with the operations of NLC by taking actions that go against the court orders as regards the bail condition and the undertaking.
The DPP further wants the bond and bail terms granted to Swazuri in his corruption-related case cancelled.
“The continued intimidation and interference with the said witnesses amounts to compelling reasons for which the bail should be cancelled.
“He has rendered the operations of NLC impossible and has virtually arrogated himself the role of the commission without due regard to the other commissioners,” stated prosecution counsel Esther Njuguna in court documents.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi High Court dismissed a case by Swazuri seeking to chair one last meeting before his term expires.
The NLC chairman had told the court it was prudent for him to call a meeting because he needs to hand over before his term comes to an end on February 19, 2019.
Swazuri was charged in 2018 alongside 13 others over fraudulent compensation of five parcels of the Standard Gauge Railway land.
He was first barred from accessing his office in August after being freed on a Ksh6 million bond.
