The Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ended proceedings against former Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru following the confirmation of his recent demise. 

According to the ICC legal framework, the Court’s jurisdiction cannot be exercised over a deceased person. 

The ICC Registry filed an official communication from Kenya in which it confirmed Gicheru’s death.

The communication which the chamber considered served as enough proof establishing Gichuru’s death.

The lawyer was found unresponsive in his house in the leafy suburbs of Karen in Nairobi after taking a meal away from his house.

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Gicheru was accused of offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses regarding cases from the situation in Kenya.  

The lawyer Gicheru was on trial at the ICC for alleged witness bribery and tampering in the Kenyan case that stalled at the ICC related to the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

Gicheru was charged with eight counts of offences against the administration of justice at the International Criminal Court.

His trial opened on 15 February 2022 and the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Eight witnesses testified for the prosecution and the Office of the Prosecutor completed its presentation of evidence on 29 March 2022. 

The Defence announced on 25 April 2022 that it would not call any witnesses and the closing statements took place on 27 June 2022.

The chamber has been deliberating on its decision on the conviction or acquittal of Gicheru who is now deceased.