The student Ian Ngige Njoroge at the Milimani law courts on February 20, 2025 / EZEKIEL AMING'A
A 19-year-old student accused of assaulting a police officer and stealing his communication device along Kamiti Road, has been released after the officer chose to withdraw the charges.
Officer Jacob Ogendo requested the court to drop the case against the accused, Ian Njoroge, explaining that his decision was made from a parental perspective.
He confirmed to Senior Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi that he understood the case could not be revived once he opted to withdraw it.
Magistrate Ekhubi granted the application, stating, "Having heard from the complainant, Jacob Ogendo, regarding his desire to withdraw all the counts in the case also pursuant to consent granted by the DPP and also guided by article 129(2)(c) to allow out of court settlement, I hereby allow the application," said the magistrate.
The court ordered a bond of Sh700,000 deposited for Ian to be refunded.
In June 2024, the student was charged with robbery with violence when he appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi.
He denied three counts of charges.
According to the charge sheet, Njoroge was accused that on June 2, jointly with others, not before the court, he robbed Corporal Jacob Ogendo, of a police communication gadget and a mobile phone valued at Sh50,000.
The prosecution said immediately he had committed the robbery; he wounded the officer.
He faced a second count that on the same dates and place, he unlawfully beat up the officer and did grievous harm to him.
The court then also heard Njoroge resisted arrest by the said officer, Ogendo, who at the time of the resistance was acting in the due execution of his duty.
The student Ian Ngige Njoroge (in a green and black jacket), in the company of his parent, lawyers and former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, leave Milimani law courts on February 20, 2025 / EZEKIEL AMING'A
Njoroge would later, in the month of June 2024, tender his apology to Kenyans and to the traffic officer, saying the incident will not repeat.
"I take this chance to offer my apologies to the state and Jacob Ogendo. I am sorry and it will never happen again. I am sorry," Ian said.
Ian's mother and father also apologised on behalf of her son and appreciated Sonko's help in getting Ian out of remand.
