Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok has been acquitted by a Nairobi Court over an alleged “fake firearm certificate” case.
Imwatok was acquitted by Magistrate Caroline Muthoni Njangi over lack of evidence.
“I therefore proceed to find that the prosecution did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person was in possession of a firearm without a firearm certificate. The accused person is acquitted,” the Magistrate ruled.
During the hearing, the defense wondered how Imwatok possessed a fake firearm certificate yet paid the licensing fees to the government.
The prosecution was given 14 days to appeal the ruling if dissatisfied.
On Tuesday, social media was awash with reports that Imwatok may be forced to spend at least 5 years behind bars if convicted of carrying a gun without a valid license.
The reports said that Magistrate Carolyne Njagi had found Imwatok has a case to answer.
Imwatoks political rivals celebrated and spread word that the Court had received testimonies from six witnesses presented by state prosecutor Winnie Moraa.
“Upon receiving all the defense submissions, I will make my pronouncement on August 24, 2021 in open court,” Miss Njagi the magistrate said.
Imwatok was facing four charges including the illegal possession of ammunition and a fake firearm license.
Ms Moraa urged the court to place him on his defense arguing that she had enough evidence to prove the case.
The ODM rep allegedly committed the offence on September 10, 2017 in Galitos Restaurant, Industrial Area, Nairobi.
He allegedly forgot a Ceska pistol loaded with 13 rounds of live ammunition of 9mm caliber at the restaurant.
He reportedly had a forged firearm certificate No 7036.
When he was arraigned in court, Imwatok denied all the four counts and was released on a Sh200,000 bond with a surety of the same amount.
He was also granted an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000.
However, celebrations have been cut short and those who were “praying that he be jailed” have gone mum.
“He has been a thorn in our flesh. Karma has come to revenge for us. Let him go to jail. He has really messed some of us at City Hall,” A ward rep who requested anonymity told Hot News on Monday.
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