Court operations at the Thika Law Courts have come to a standstill after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confiscated the mobile phone of Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo.
Through her legal team, lawyers Dunstan Omari and Shadrack Wambui, Magistrate Atambo has moved to court, seeking orders to compel the anti-graft commission to return her phone.
She argues that without her phone, essential judicial functions have been severely disrupted, affecting the smooth running of the court.
In their application, her lawyers highlighted that key operations, such as processing payments for contractors, handling case transactions, and issuing refunds, have all been halted.
This disruption has led to an increasing backlog of cases, worsening the efficiency of the Thika Law Courts. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Harrison Baraza certified the application as urgent and scheduled a hearing for Monday.
The conflict stems from an ongoing investigation by EACC into allegations of bribery against Magistrate Atambo. On March 13, anti-graft detectives raided her home and seized Ksh2,070,000 in cash, which they found inside a laptop bag.
The commission had reportedly received multiple complaints accusing the magistrate of demanding bribes from accused persons appearing before her court.
In an official statement, EACC confirmed that it was actively investigating the allegations. “EACC wishes to confirm that it is conducting investigations against Stellah Atambo, Chief Magistrate, Thika Law Courts, following numerous complaints alleging that she demands and receives bribes from accused persons,” the commission stated.
However, Magistrate Atambo has strongly denied any involvement in bribery or illegal financial activities. She insists that the money recovered by the EACC officers belongs to her husband and has demanded that the commission return it to its rightful owner.
While investigations into her case continue, the High Court has intervened, barring the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from prosecuting her until a petition challenging the legality of the case is heard and determined.
The magistrate, who has served in the judiciary for several years, maintains that she is innocent and has been unfairly targeted.
In response to her predicament, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) has strongly condemned what it describes as an orchestrated attack on judicial officers. The association warned that such actions threaten the independence of the judiciary.
KMJA further raised concerns about the rising cases of threats, intimidation, and personal attacks on judicial officers, noting that these tactics expose them to public humiliation, emotional distress, and even the risk of mob justice.
The association emphasized that the judiciary must be allowed to operate without external pressure or undue influence to ensure justice is upheld.
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