A case in which Turkana governor Jeremiah Lomorukai is seeking to stop the EACC from arresting him over claims of forgery of his academic papers has been adjourned.
High Court Judge Justice Reuben Nyakundi adjourned the matter to November 7 to give the county boss time to make an appearance at the court in Eldoret.
Lomorukai had already obtained a Sh20,000 anticipatory bail ex-parte but the matter will now be heard in November.
The governor, through his lawyers, says that he is apprehensive that he may be arrested for offences relating to forgery of his degree and diploma certificates.
When the matter came up for hearing virtually before Justice Nyakundi, lawyers for the governor did not make an appearance but the EACC and the DPP showed up.
The judge said the matter could not proceed without an appearance by the governor’s team.
EACC North Rift regional manager Japheth Baithalu who spoke to the media after the matter was adjourned said they would not ambush the governor and arrest him because of the due process he had taken through the courts.
“As it stands, we have no extension of orders stopping action against the governor but we do not plan to ambush him because having moved to the court, means he is civilized just as we are,” Baithalu said.
Baithalu said the governor was holding an important office and the EACC would respect him as long as he abides by the law and the court procedures.
He, however, challenged a former Turkana county executive for roads Benson Lokwam to come out of hiding and present himself to court over the same accusations.
The EACC has already obtained orders from the DPP to prosecute Lokwam over charges of forgery of academic papers but Baithalu said the former executive had gone into hiding.
“We urge him to come out and use the court procedures instead of hiding in bushes and other places. We will smoke him out if he does not come out on his own,” Baithalu said.
