Ian Njoroge, a 19-year-old, has been released from remand after Francis Wambua, an aide to Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, stood surety for him.
According to documents, Njoroge’s freedom was secured when the Sh700,000 bond was posted.
On June 7, 2024, Milimani principal magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi ordered the release of the young student on a Sh700K bond, with a surety of the same amount.
However, since his family was unable to immediately provide the required surety, Mike Sonko had to step in. As Ian was denied cash bail, his only option was to deposit a motor vehicle log book or a title deed worth Sh700,000.
“In the upshot, I admit the accused person to a bond of Sh 700,000 with a surety of a similar amount.
There will be no alternative to a cash bail at this stage. However, parties will be at liberty to seek a review later,” Milimani Chief Principal Magistrate Ben Ekhubi stated.
Ekhubi said that the arguments submitted by the state to deny Ian Njoroge’s bond were unconvincing.
The magistrate said that the prosecution failed to present any evidence that Ian’s life would be in danger if released
“The prosecution had objected to his release for his own security. The argument that he should be detained for his safety cannot stand. I reject that argument. The investigating officer failed to give evidence to support this argument that he should be denied bail for his safety,” stated Ekhubi.
After the ruling, Sonko offered one of his cars as a surety for Ian Njoroge on condition that he doesn’t run away when released from custody.
“With Ian Njoroge, his parents, relatives, and one of his lawyers, Mr. Okatch strategizing a few hours ago.Kwa hiyo mtachagua gari moja kati ya haya matatu. Chagua moja lenye wakili ataona kama linafaa na linaweza kusimamia dhamana ya Ian Njoroge, lakini hakikisha bora asitoroke,” Mike Sonko said.
In a separate post, Sonko said the officer who was assaulted by Ian worked under him when he was a Member of Parliament as he pleaded with him to forgive the young man.
“Only a parent understands childbirth pains. After an incident where a motorist Ian Njoroge attacked a traffic police officer, yesterday I received a distress call from the mother of the said motorist, asking me to intervene. Her son is a first-year student at the Technical University of Kenya. As a parent, I could also feel her pain. So, I took the initiative to contact the assaulted officer who was once my bodyguard when I was an MP, and humbly requested forgiveness. Fortunately, the officer has accepted the family’s apology and is willing to forgive Ian,” Sonko shared.
