Magistrate Denies Reports of His Arrest in Ethiopia

28 June 2011

Nairobi — Moyale senior resident magistrate Gathogo Sogomo on Tuesday denied reports that he was arrested and locked up by Ethiopian security forces at the weekend.

Mr Sogomo said he has never had problems with Ethiopian security forces and had worked peacefully with his counterparts from the neighbouring country.

However, an officer at Moyale Police Station said the magistrate was arrested and released under stringent conditions.

The officer said Mr Sogomo was ordered to report to the Ethiopian police station every morning until the officer-in-charge returns from Addis Ababa.

“Since Monday the magistrate has been reporting to the Ethiopian police station at 8 am before starting his duties,” said the officer, on condition of anonymity.

It was not clear when the officer in-charge at the Ethiopian police station will return to his duty base and clear with the magistrate.

When asked about the unfolding saga concerning the magistrate’s release, Moyale DC Joshua Nkanata said he does not have the details but promised to enquire and return to us.

That did not happen and efforts to reach him were futile. Mr Sogomo, while denying the weekend incident, said the reports filed by the Nation were baseless and unfounded.

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