Big blow for Pastor James Ng'ang'a as court makes u-turn in road crash case

mary kulundu

July 10, 2018 3:31 PM

The case is back

Neno Evangelism Centre pastor James Ng’ang’a on Tuesday received a big blow after the court reversed his acquittal in the infamous road crash case.

In May, Mr Ng’ang’a, who was charged with dangerous driving leading to the death of one Mercy Njeri, was freed after a ruling made by Chief Magistrate Godfrey Oduor of Limuru Law Courts.

However, the case was petitioned by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Catherine Mwaniki arguing that Oduor erred both in law and fact while making the judgement.

"The trial magistrate failed to properly analyse all of the prosecution's evidence thereby causing a miscarriage of justice.

"The magistrate erred by holding circumstantial evidence which included forensic evidence, Safaricom data and cybercrime data adduced by the state and did not meet required legal standards." the petition read in part.

Also Read: Father of woman killed in Pastor Nga’ng’a car crash reveals scary happenings at his home

Today, Kiambu high court quashed the decision made by the lower court and ruled that trial starts afresh from August 1.

Judge Christine Meoli granted ODPP the request to place the Televangelist back on the defence.

In 2015, Ms Njeri was killed in a fatal accident involving Pastor Ng’ang’a’s red Range Rover at Manguo in Limuru along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

Pastor Ng’ang’a acquittal was also criticized by Interior and Coordination Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i who wrote to DPP Noordin Haji to appeal the ruling.

In a letter, Mr. Matiang’i said that the government was not satisfied with the ruling, arguing that evidence implicating the pastor was overwhelming.

"The ministry notes with surprise the acquittal handed down in the above case where we believe a brazen crime was committed by the accused person," he said.

mary kulundu