The High Court of Kenya has given the way forward in the murder case involving former TV presenter Jacque Maribe and her ex-fiancé Joseph Irungu alias Jowie.
High court judge Justice Grace Nzioka gave an order at the Milimani Law Courts on January 26,2024 after Maribe failed to show up.
The judge postponed delivery of judgment in the case after the former TV anchor, who is the co-accused in the case, reportedly fell sick.
Justice Nzioka however noted that the judgment was ready for delivery.
She further said that she will give the verdict by March 15, 2024, following today’s postponement.
“I have looked at my diary and the court is not available in the whole month of January and February. Other than this matter I have a few other serious matters that I am dealing with. I will not be available from the 8th of February to 8th of March. My earliest judgement would be 15th of March,” she said.
Jowie, who is the first accused person in the case was in court for delivery of the verdict while Maribe failed to show up.
The court was told that Jacque was on her way to hospital, but Justice Nzioka asked the State to provide medical evidence on the reason for absence of the second accused person Maribe.
Jowie and Maribe have consistently denied the charges and have been hopeful for a favorable outcome in the impending verdict.
Case against Maribe postponed
The case, which extended over two years, concluded in July 2023 with the initial slated verdicts first being postponed twice in October and December 2023.
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During the trial, the prosecution presented 35 witnesses who testified against both defendants.
The two have consistently denied the charges remaining hopeful for a favorable outcome in the impending hearing.
Following the postponement of the verdict delivery in December 2023, Maribe protested the delay saying that justice delayed was justice denied.
“It needs to stop but also this is too much. This is not Kenya Justice Grace Nzioka justice delayed is justice denied,” she said in a statement back then.
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She further went on to ask the judge to stop putting people’s lives at limbo, lamenting that she was tired of the delay.
Also, before the postponement, Joseph Irungu had pleaded with the judge to deliver the judgment before the 2023 Christmas holiday, arguing that it has been a long and agonizing wait for him and his family.
