A case where three people including; a chief, and bishop are facing charges of marrying off a minor has been adjourned to a later date.
The case was adjourned after the prosecution counsel asked the court for more time to conclude investigations.
Moreover, the prosecution on Tuesday, July 12 asked the court to allow the investigation team to liaise with other agencies for documentation of holistic evidence before presenting the case in court.
Likewise, during a pre-trial proceeding the case involving Thomas Mpatai, Esupatet Seketeti and Joseph Lekurrukule Mpatai was adjourned to July 27 when it will be mentioned for completion of pretrial.
In addition, the accused persons who had been arraigned in court on June 23, denied a charge of failing to protect the 15-year old girl against harmful cultural rite namely, early marriage which happened on diverse dates in the month of June 2022.
Furthermore, Mpatai who is the chief of Olorika location and Thomas, who is the Bishop of Holiness Church at Iltilal had denied another count of deliberately denying the girl right to live with and be cared for by her grandmother by taking her away from their homestead at Lolmarorok village on June 20, 2022.
The girl’s grandmother and guardian identified as Seketeti also denied count of failing to protect the 15-year-old from early marriage by marrying her off to Joshua Dokolo on June 20, 2022 at Iltilal village.
Nonetheless, the accused were apprehended on June 22 by local administration, and officers from departments of children and Education after getting information that the girl was married off with full knowledge of the area chief.
According to resident Magistrate Samuel Ndungu, the matter affects the minor’s life and as such, it is the duty of the court to completely uphold the best interest of the child.
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Therefore, he directed the prosecution to have completed collection of evidence it will rely on by July 27.
Meanwhile the minor has been placed at a local children Rescue Centre within Loitoktok.
