Advocate Haron Ndubi charged with traffic obstruction

Human Rights advocate Haron Ndubi was on Monday morning arraigned in court and charged with failing to comply with verbal instructions from the police and traffic obstruction on Jakaya Kikwete Road.

Ndubi was accused of refusing to blow into a breathalyzer as directed by a police officer who suspected that he might have been driving under influence of alcohol.

It is further alleged that in the process to have him comply with police orders, the lawyer blocked other road users when he parked on the road.

He denied the two charges before Magistrate Electer Riani of the traffic offenders court and was released on a Ksh.30,000 cash bail.

Ndubi’s three advocates led by Senior counsel John Khaminwa had urged the court to release their client of a free bond, citing that he is a respected advocate who can’t run away from the case trial.

The case will be heard on February 23, 2018.

While police initially said Ndubi was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, this was not on the charge sheet.

Nairobi Police boss Japheth Koome had said Ndubi was apprehended on Sunday at around 9pm on Jakaya Kikwete Road near State House’s Gate D.

According to the police, the advocate was found asleep with his car parked in the middle of the road.

Koome said he was overly drunk at the time of the arrest, adding that he was taken to Kileleshwa Police Station where he was to later be charged with DUI.

It was further alleged that Ndubi declined to take an alcoblow test prompting police to arrest and lock him up at Kileleshwa Police Station ahead of arraignment in court.