An outgoing councilor from Naibor ward in Nanyuki was on Tuesday arraigned before a Nyeri court facing charges of defilement.
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Shadrack Okato, Wilberforce Epuke pleaded not guilty of defiling a 17-year-old girl.
The particulars of the charges are that on December 30, 2012 at 1900 hours at Muramati village, Epuke intentionally and unlawfully defiled the minor.
Alternatively, he was impeached with having an indecent act with a minor by unlawfully touching her private parts knowingly.
However, defence counsel applied for the case to be transferred to Nanyuki law courts arguing that there were no good and fair reasons as to why the accussed was taken to Nyeri.
He informed the court that both the complainant and accused are from Muramati village in Nanyuki municipality and therefore the case falls under Nanyuki court jurisdiction.
The prosecution Eunice Maingi dismissed the application saying the accused is a prominent person in the area and chances are high that he will interfere with case proceedings.
She also added that Nanyuki police boss advised the case to continue in a Nyeri court rather than in Nanyuki.
The defence counsel however told court that Epuke’s prominence has no touches with the case and that Nanyuki law courts are competent to deal with such offences.
The accused was remanded until Wednesday when the court will give verdict on the application.
Reportedly, the minor is a class eight leaver and the cousin of the sexual predator's wife.
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