Sang nursery school event plea rejected

Journalist Joshua Sang arriving at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on October 28, 2013 where he is facing trials alongside Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto. Photo/BILLY MUTAI 

In Summary
But presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji had said that Mr Sang should be allowed to attend his six-year old daughter’s graduation.
Meanwhile, the public gallery filled up again yesterday as Deputy President William Ruto resumed his place in the courtroom after a three-day absence.

 By Nation Reporter
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Former journalist Joshua Sang was told by the ICC Thursday that he cannot come home to attend his daughter’s nursery school graduation today.

A majority decision of the court ruled that Mr Sang’s plea to skip hearings did not qualify as exceptional circumstances.

Furthermore, judges Olga Carbuccia and Robert Fremr refused to reschedule or adjourn the hearing.

Mr Sang had asked that he be excused from the trials today, November 1.

AT THE LAST MINUTE

But presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji had said that Mr Sang should be allowed to attend his six-year old daughter’s graduation.

He argued that the graduation had been set for November 7 but was rescheduled at the last minute.

Judge Osuji said Mr Sang would have been able to attend his daughter’s graduation.

He also said that Mr Sang has observed the court’s summons so far and had not gone against any of the directives.

Meanwhile, the public gallery filled up again yesterday as Deputy President William Ruto resumed his place in the courtroom after a three-day absence.

Mr Ruto had been allowed to travel back to Nairobi to take charge of government as President Kenyatta travelled to Kigali, Rwanda on Monday for a three-day regional infrastructure and security summit.

The prosecution did not object to Mr Ruto’s absence.