Monica murder case: Maribe, Jowie to remain in remand longer

Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe and her fiancé Joseph Irungu alias Jowie will remain in custody longer pending the hearing and determination of their bail.

Appearing before judge Jessie Lessit on Monday morning, Maribe and Jowie were jointly charged with the murder of Monica Kimani on September 19, 2018.

“Joseph Kuria Irungu and Jacque Maribe at an unknown time at Lamuria Gardens apartments on Kitale Lane, off Denis Pritt Road in Kilimani area within Nairobi County you are jointly charged with the murder of Monica Kimani,” judge Lesiit read out the charge, to which they pleaded not guilty.

On their bail application, Judge Lessit directed that the matter be mentioned on Wednesday, October 17 before another judge who will then set a different date for the hearing of the bail application.

Maribe’s lawyer Katwa Kigen wanted the mention of the bail application be done immediately after plea taking, arguing that the accused have been in custody for the last two weeks.

“Your Ladyship we are very kindly requesting you for accelerated dates if its not possible to have the mention (for bail application) today… The accused persons have already been in custody for the last 15 dates,” submitted Kigen.

Justice Lessit, however, declined to the defence lawyer’s plea.

In the meantime, Maribe will be detained at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison while Jowie remains at the Industrial Area Remand Prison.