Tribunal probing Judge Jackton Ojwang to conclude hearing on Friday

A seven-member tribunal appointed to investigate the conduct of embattled Supreme Court Judge Jackton Ojwang is set to conclude its hearing on Friday July 19, 2019.

The Justice Alnashir Visram-led team, during a brief session open to the media on Monday, stated that they would then retire to write their decision before delivering their verdict before the end of July.

The tribunal was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May this year to investigate allegations of misconduct, impropriety, conflict of interest and breach of the judicial code of conduct by Justice Ojwang.

Justice Ojwang, according to a petition filed before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), is alleged to have benefited from the construction of a road leading to his rural house in Migori County after issuing a favourable ruling in a Sony Sugar belt case that Governor Okoth Obado supposedly had interests in.

Members of the tribunal include Court of Appeal Judge Visram (Chairperson), retired judge Festus Azangalala, Ambrose Weda, Andrew Bahati Mwamuye, Lucy Kambuni, Sylvia Wanjiku Muchiri and Amina Abda.

Lawyers Paul Nyamodi and Stella Munyi were appointed as Counsel to assist the Tribunal while Peter Kariuki and Josiah Musili were named Joint Secretaries.

The tribunal took oath of office at a short ceremony witnessed by Chief Justice David Maraga at the Supreme Court on April 8, 2019.

It then conducted a visit to the site in Migori in June before officially beginning their probe on Monday July 15, 2019 in what is expected to be closed-door hearing.