Ex-Migori Governor Obado’s Sh505m corruption case moves toward out-of-court deal

The Sh505 million corruption case against former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his four children, and 22 others could soon be resolved without a full trial, following talks with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

During a hearing at the Milimani Law Courts, lawyers representing the accused told Chief Magistrate Charles Ondieki that they had formally written to DPP Renson Ingonga on April 25, 2025, requesting an out-of-court settlement.

The move, they said, followed earlier letters sent in October and November 2022 expressing interest in a plea bargain.

"We have held several meetings and deliberations with the DPP and EACC following the letter," the defence said.

"We believe the negotiations are at an advanced stage and anticipate a conclusion within a month. In the interest of justice and judicial time, we urge the court to adjourn the matter to allow the settlement talks to be finalized."

They asked the court to set July 1, 2025, as the next mention date for an update on the ongoing negotiations.

The court also heard that Obado and his co-accused had already resolved two other cases out of court.

These involved asset recovery suits worth Sh1.9 billion and Sh73 million, tied to unexplained wealth and proceeds of crime.

The accused agreed to pay a combined total of Sh253 million, a figure the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission accepted as a fair deal.

A State Prosecutor confirmed receipt of the April 25 letter and said talks with the DPP and EACC were active, with hopes of resolving the matter through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

"The plea bargain process initially began in October 2024, but negotiations stalled. They have now resumed, and we confirm they are progressing. We do not oppose the adjournment," the prosecutor said.

The office has also reached out to the EACC for further clarification, following issues raised by the defence on May 6.

The EACC, through its lawyer, confirmed receipt of the May 6 communication and said it is open to discussions, provided they follow the law as laid out in Sections 137A to 137O of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Obado separately asked the court to delay the matter, saying he is also facing a murder case involving the killing of Sharon Otieno, his former lover.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ondieki acknowledged the request and the complex history of the case, which has faced repeated delays since 2018.

He noted that in seven years, only one witness has taken the stand and is yet to finish giving evidence.