Drama ensued in an Embu Court on Monday, November 7, when a man charged with stealing was found in possession of a handbag belonging to the lawyer who was representing him.
While recounting the ordeal, Faith Japann, an advocate of the high court indicated that while appearing in court for the accused, the prosecutor presented her lost handbag among the items her client had been found with.
"The accused was charged with stealing contrary to section 268 subsection 2(c) of the Penal Code" Jappann told Kenyans.co.ke.
Section 268 (2)(c) of the Penal Code states that "a person who takes anything capable of being stolen or who converts any property is deemed to do so fraudulently if he does so with any of the following intents, that is to say an intent to part with it on a condition as to its return which the person taking or converting it may be unable to perform."
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It was during the prosecution's case that his advocate recognized one of the stolen items as her handbag that got lost a while back at a social event.
"I was holding brief for my colleague and was surprised when I found out that the accused was in possession of my handbag" Jappann said.
A section of social media users made fun of the events with some asking Jappann to get paid first before crossing over to become a state witness in the case.
"I am no longer an Embu resident if this is what they have done to you" Dorcas Ngari a Facebook user commented.
"That accused has impunity. Your money is paying your legal fees" another Facebook users chided.
The matter is set to come up for hearing on Monday, November 28, in Embu.
The advocate was yet to decide if she will sue the man for allegedly stealing her handbag or continue representing him.
