High Court judge Justice Mugambi Lawrence Nthiga on Friday, September 13, 2024, sentenced Acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Gilbert Masengeli to prison.
Justice Mugambi sentenced IG Masengeli to six years in prison after he found him guilty of contempt of court after the police boss failed to honor court summons seven consecutive times.
The judge directed that the police boss avails himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons to ensure that he is committed to a prison facility to begin serving his sentence.
Failure to submit himself to the Kenya Prisons Service Commissioner General, Justice Mugambi directed that the Ministry of Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki enforce the order.
He however suspended the sentence for seven days to allow Masengeli “redeem” himself by complying with the court order.
After Mugambi’s appointment as a High Court Judge, he has served at the Busia Constitutional and Milimani Human Rights Division Courts.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi in the Judiciary
He previously served as Magistrate at Kapsabet, Sotik, Kangundo and Milimani Law Courts, and Chief Magistrate at the Anti-Corruption Court.
Also, Mugambi has served as a National Coordinator at Community Service Orders, and as an Advocate at Nyaga Kamundi & Co. Advocates.
Also Read: Dorcas Oduor: Who is the New Attorney General Nominee?
The judge holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi (UoN), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law which he attained in the year 1999.
Mugambi was admitted to the bar in 2000.
The judge who hails from Tharaka Nithi County has attended high-level trainings such as the 9th Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and the International Conference on Special Needs Offenders, in Ontario Canada.
In addition, he has in the past attended the Africa Regional Conference on Prisons and Correctional Services in Abuja, Nigeria, Continuous Judicial Education Training and a workshop on International Protection and Refugee Law, among other trainings.
Masengeli Sentenced
Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli was sentenced to six months in prison by Justice Mugambi for contempt of court.
Also Read: Masengeli Sentenced to Jail, Kindiki Given Arrest Orders
The police boss was found guilty after he failed to honor court summons seven consecutive times.
Masengeli had been summoned by the court to explain the whereabouts of three people, activist Bob Njagi, Jamil Longton and his brother Aslam Longton, who were allegedly abducted by individuals believed to be police officers on August 19, 2024, during the Gen Z-led anti-government protests.
The police IG however persistently and blatantly snubbed all the seven-summons issued against him. Consequently, Justice Mugambi convicted him for contempt of court.
Mugambi however suspended the sentence for seven days to allow Masengeli “redeem” himself by complying with the court order and availing himself before this court in person to answer to the issues he has been avoiding.
In default the sentence shall be automatically become effective,” ruled the judge.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C