A man was on Friday arraigned before the Senior Resident Magistrate's Court at Kiambu Law Courts on allegations of impersonating Justice William Ouko of the Supreme Court.
Oduor Leakey Amolloh was presented before to court by DCI officers.
He is also accused of obtaining money from unsuspecting members of the public by false pretence.
Amolloh was arrested on December 8, in Migori County and presented before the Court on December 11, when the DCI asked for three days to complete their investigation hence his appearance on Friday.
According to court papers, on November 24, Justice Ouko received information that a mobile number purporting to be his was being used to defraud the public.
This was under the pretext that he could influence public employment.
Using Justice Ouko’s name, the contact holder allegedly solicited and received money from unsuspecting victims.
The Judge made a report to the police and upon recording a statement, investigations commenced.
Investigations, according to one DCI officer’s affidavit, have indicated that the suspect has residences in Nairobi, Kakamega and Migori counties.
It is suspected that this is where he was operating alleged fraudulent activities.
Police sought court orders to enable them to search the residences to recover any exhibit that may be relevant to the ongoing investigations.
Among the documents filed in court and set to be presented as evidence are letters purported to be from a cross-section of institutions offering various people employment which supposedly Amolloh used the name of the Judge of the Supreme Court to secure.
Following an application, the court ordered that the accused person be detained in the custody of the DCI for three days from Friday to allow them to conclude their investigations.
The officers are also to transport him to Kisumu where most of the crimes he allegedly committed happened.
Further, the court directed the DCI to arraign him at Kisumu Law Courts on December 19, 2023.
As the matter takes its course in court, the public has been cautioned and informed that as a matter of principle and ethics, Judges would not seek such favours.
Those who may be approached by such persons in the name of a judge should verify with the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary any information or request purported to emanate from a Judge.
Further, the public is cautioned to be very vigilant and wary if people invoke the name of judges, judicial officers and staff to obtain any favours – be it employment, money, tenders, supplies and others - to guard against falling victim to impersonators and fraudsters.
The Judiciary has assured that it is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, executing its mandate with openness and transparency and upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.