The case in which former NBS TV journalist Joy Doreen Biira dragged her former workmate at KTN Aaron Ochieng to court just took a new twist. The former KTN editor, who was charged with stealing Doreen’s Mercedes Benz worth KShs2.8m (about Shs95m) two years ago, was this week sent back to prison after failing to pay Ksh1m as an out of court settlement.
Last year, Ochieng publicly apologised to Biira, and also paid her KShs150,000, as part payment of the KShs1m that they had agreed as out of court settlement, and when court sat on Tuesday this week, it decided to forfeit Ochieng’s KShs300,000 cash bail to serve as part of settlement. But even then, Ochieng made it clear that he didn’t have any more money to pay Doreen and asked for two more months to find it.
Milimani Chief Magistrate, Francis Andayi however wouldn’t have any of Ochieng’s pleas, and instead went ahead and remanded Ochieng until he pays the remaining balance. However, Ochieng through his lawyer, moved to the High Court where the decision by lower court to cancel his bail was quashed and the cash bail reinstated.
By the looks of things, after the out-of-court settlement hitting a snag, the court battle is likely to end up in a full blown trial. The hearing has been set for September 12.