In Kenya, a man accused of trafficking narcotics caused a stir in court on Tuesday when he claimed that he could not take plea because of swelling in his private parts.
Boniface Omolo, who is facing two counts – being in possession of narcotic drugs, namely heroin and escaping from custody – was ordered remanded until the court can ascertain his medical condition.
Appearing before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku on Tuesday, November 17, Omolo said that he was hit by a motor vehicle that led to the swelling in his gonads.
Looking weak, Omolo told the chief magistrate that he needed to be released to travel to Ngara to buy medication, without which he claimed he would die.
“Your Honour, I am very sick and I have to go to Ngara to get the medicine that will help me heal the testicles. Please allow me to treat myself,”, Omolo told the court.
But the magistrate deferred the plea-taking until she receives a report on the suspect’s medical condition despite protests from the prosecutor who claimed Omolo was seeking sympathy in a bid to delay justice.
The suspect was initially arrested after he was found in possession of five sachets of heroin worth at least Sh1,000.
After his arrest on October 26, the prosecution revealed that the suspect escaped from lawful custody with his co-accused.
The prosecutor said that Omolo escaped from the lawful custody of Corporal Grace Njoroge and Constable Kiptoo Kissorio at the Milimani Law Courts on October 29.
The suspect will now remain at Kamukunji Police Station pending his plea-taking on November 19.