'I will represent myself', businessman Aroko tells lawyers Omari and Ombeta

There was drama at the JKIA Law courts after a businessman, Phillip Aroko, told the Magistrate that he did not need legal representation.

Aroko had been presented at the court today in a case where he is linked to the murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were.

City lawyers Danstun Omari, Cliff Ombeta, Shadrack Wambui, Stanley Kinyanjui and Sam Nyaberi had also appeared in court on behalf of Aroko and co-accused Edwin Oduor.

To their surprise, Aroko told the court that together with his co-accused, they would instead represent themselves.

This left the lawyers with no option but to leave the courtroom in a huff.

Earlier on, the lawyers had petitioned the High Court seeking to compel the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to present him in court.

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In an urgent application filed before the Milimani High Court Criminal Division, Aroko’s legal team, led by Omari, raised an alarm over what they describe as a blatant violation of his constitutional rights and due process.

Aroko, who was being detained at Gigiri Police Station was expected to be arraigned at JKIA at 9am but the lawyers said he was yet to be produced in court.

In the court papers, Omari said Arokowas being held without formal charges and had been denied access to his legal counsel, family, and friends since when he was detained.

Oroko was later produced at the court, where he requested to be held at Kileleshwa police station and not Kasarani, citing that he is currently under medication.

JKIA court Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi allowed the detectives to detain the businessman for seven days to allow them to complete the investigations.

Aroko is the person of interest in Charles Ong'ondo Were murder case.