Controversial Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru has finally surrendered to the International Criminal Court (ICC) following a warrant of arrest issued against him in early 2015.
A statement by the ICC released on Monday confirmed that the dodging lawyer has surrendered to the Dutch authorities.
“Today, 2 November 2020, Mr Paul Gicheru surrendered to the authorities of The Netherlands pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court,” ICC statement reads in part.
Mr Gicheru and one Phillip Bett were accused of interfering with the witnesses in the ICC cases where President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto were tried at the ICC court.
Pre-trial Chamber II of the Hague court detailed the offences of Gicheru and Bett.
“The Prosecutor alleges the individual criminal responsibility of Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett, under six counts with respect to six witnesses of the Court, for offences against the administration of justice of corruptly influencing a witness under Article 70(1)(c) of the Statute, in conjunction with article 25(3)(a) of the Statute, or alternatively, article 25(3)(d), or (c), or, with respect to Paul Gicheru only, article 25(3)(b) of the Statute.” reads the report by Pre Trial Chamber II headed by Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova.
Judge Trendafilova issued warrants of arrest against Gicheru and Bett on February 9 2015 but the duo that enjoyed the protection from big boys in power kept dodging the court.
The judge directed that the two and another third person be arrested in Kenya or any other country, and their premises be searched after which they should be presented before the ICC.
Lawyer Gicheru obstructed justice in the case against Deputy President William Ruto.
His arrest comes at a time when political temperatures are rising after the BBI report was released last week.
‘ICC politics’ is a card the Deputy President has pulled against ODM leader Raila Odinga before. This might be another he pulls it now he is perfectly playing the victim.
The move can be read as a possibility of reviving the case against the deputy president who had accused Odinga of ‘offering’ him to the ICC.
