Sentencing Date: 2024-03-25 |
Offence Date: 2017-09-26 |
Magistrate(s): Chief Magistrate A. Mwangi*, Chief Magistrate J. Gandani; Chief Magistrate Esther Boke |
Court: Kibera – Court 1 |
Trial Duration: 78 months |
Link: |
Arrest Details: The accused was arrested by KWS in Nairobi found with the 246 ivory chopsticks weighing 4 kg. |
Sentence/Conclusion: Julius Galia was acquitted. |
Final Court Update
#>29. March 25th, 2024 (Judgement): Chief Magistrate Ann Mwangi today acquitted Julius Galia of all charges. Hon. Mwangi told the court that after her findings, there was not enough evidence to find him guilty.
He had told the court earlier that he had found the chop sticks while on work duties clearing out a bank storage area. He did not know what they were at the time, believing them to be made of wax for melting certificate seals.
His surety was to be returned by the court.
Case Overview
On September 26th, 2017, at around 0800 hrs at the Shell petrol station, Fedha estate, within Nairobi County, the accused was found in possession of wildlife trophies, namely 246 ivory chopsticks weighing 4 kg.
Presiding Magistrate and Court: Hon. A. Mwangi – Chief Magistrate – Court 1 Previous – Hon. J. Gandani – Chief Magistrate Previous – Hon. Esther Boke – Chief Magistrate | |
State Counsel: | Accused Advocate: |
Accused: Julius Galia | |
Charges:
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Date of Arrest: 2017-09-26 | Date of Arraignment: 2017-09-27 |
Location of Arrest: Fedha Estate, Nairobi | Contraband Seized: 4 kg (246 chopsticks) |
Proceedings
#>28. March 5th, 2024 (Judgement): Today’s judgement did not proceed. Defence counsel for the accused was not present so the matter is adjourned to March 25th. The court advised should counsel be absent the next time, the judgement will be read regardless.
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#>27. January 30th, 2024 (Mention): The court today set a judgement date of March 5th, 2024.
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#>26. January 25th, 2024 (Mention): Another mention date was set in court for January 30th.
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#>25. December 6th, 2023 (Mention): The court of Hon. Chief Magistrate Ann Mwangi was not sitting today as she was on annual leave. Court staff assigned a new mention date of January 25th, 2024.
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#>24. October 30th, 2023 (Defence Hearing): The accused, Galia, testified today on his own behalf. He told that court that he was working at his father’s company at the time. On the day of the arrest he was conducting waste management at Barclay’s as part of his work assignment. He came across the chopsticks that were to be destroyed. He stated that he did not know what they were, thought perhaps they could be melted to make certificate seals.
He decided to ask his friend what exactly they were and he was told that they were valuable. The friend linked him to a woman in order to sell the chopsticks for him. He later discovered that they were made of ivory.
His council requested for time to filling submissions. The next court date is December 6th.
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#>23. October 23rd, 2023 (Hearing): Both the accused and his counsel were absent. No mention or application for arrest warrant. Matter adjourned to October 30th. First appearance for SEEJ-AFRICA. This is the 23rd sitting since electronic input of court records, 2 years after plea.
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#>2. July 24th, 2019 (Hearing): First date captured by electronic court records.
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#1. September 27th, 2017 (Plea): The accused pleaded not guilty.
