Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru is scheduled to make his initial appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) courtroom on Friday November 6 at 6pm, Kenyan Time.  

Gicheru is set to appear in Courtroom I of the Hague court before Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Pre-Trial Chamber A.

He was transferred to the ICC’s custody on Tuesday, after he surrendered himself to the Dutch authorities on Monday. 

The legal practitioner will face charges for alleged offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court in Kenya cases.

During the initial appearance hearing, the judge will verify Gicheru’s identity, language in which he is able to follow the proceedings, charges against him and his rights under the Rome Statute.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the said ICC hearing will be held on a partially virtual basis with Gicheru scheduled to appear by video-link technology from the Court’s Detention Centre.

The arrest warrant against Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett was issued under seal on March 10, 2015 and unsealed on September 10, 2015 even as Bett is still not in ICC custody.

On Monday, the ICC Pre-Trial Division President constituted Pre-Trial Chamber A composed of Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou to exercise the powers and functions of the Pre-Trial Chamber in this case.