May 24, 1984: The Chairman of the Njonjo Judicial Commission of Inquiry orders that a witness summons be issued to Mr. Sharad Rao (Left), a former Deputy Public Prosecutor. Mr. Justice C.H.E. Miller made the order following an application from the leading counsel assisting the commission Mr. Lee Muthoga (right). The counsel said police officers assisting the commission had recorded a statement from Mr. Rao and had informed him that he was a material witness in the inquiry and should keep his whereabouts known. Mr. Muthoga said that earlier this year they were informed that Mr. Rao was to go overseas for treatment of a leg complaint but the counsel were not notified that he had left this country for an assignment abroad either in Geneva or Iran. Mr. Rao was reported on May 10 this year to have moved to Iran to help with cases which have been dealt with by the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal. Before his departure, it was reported, the Government had agreed to his release for a period of one year. He was at that time the chairman of the Business Premises Rent Tribunal. “I am requesting that Your Lordships make an order to the effect that the counsel assisting our Lordships be assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President to ensure that Mr. Rao’s attendance before the commission is effected,” Mr. Muthoga said. Seen here with their client Mr. Kamlesh Pattni discussing a point outside Nairobi Law Court after the hearing of a Goldenberg case in which Mr. Pattini was a major suspect in October 1995.

Photo|Nation Syndication