Justice Tunoi to appear before JSC team over Sh200m bribery claims

Embattled Supreme Court Judge Phillip Tunoi appears before a special team probing bribery allegations on Monday  as investigations into the allegations that could bring down the Supreme Court as constituted gain momentum. Tonui spent the better part of the day with his lawyers preparing his response to the allegations that he received 200 million shillings to influence the outcome of an election petition against Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.

All eyes will be on Supreme Court Judge Phillip Tunoi, when he appears before the special committee of the judicial service commission chaired by Prof. Margaret Kobia which is probing allegations of grand corruption that could have far reaching implications on the highest court in the land.

Tonui spent the better part of Sunday with his legal team, fine tuning the defence against allegations of pocketing a sh. 200m bribe from Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero to, help him retain the city’s top job. The affidavit sworn by Geofrey Kipalagat, a man who claims to have brokered the 2m dollar bribe threatening to end in shame. Tunoi’s 29-year career in the corridors of justice. The 72-year old judge claims the graft allegations were a creation of some judges and senior lawyers eyeing his Supreme Court seat.

His main line of defence on Monday will be to question the character of Kiplagat, whose allegations a week ago yet again raised questions on the judiciary’s integrity and ability to dispense justice impartially. other than denying receiving a bribe from Dr. Kidero or any personal interaction with Kiplagat, Tonui has maintained his predicament was politically instigated, a position he will be advancing.

And as Francis Gachuri reports lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi now claims more money was offered to several judges than previously reported.