Republic v David Lopedes Ekal Alias Joja

Republic v Ekal alias Joja (Criminal Case E035 of 2023) [2025] KEHC 18187 (KLR) (4 December 2025) (Ruling) Neutral citation: [2025] KEHC 18187 (KLR) REPUBLIC OF KENYA IN THE HIGH COURT AT NAKURU CRIMINAL CASE E035 OF 2023 JM NANG'EA, J DECEMBER 4, 2025 BETWEEN REPUBLIC ............................................................................................ PROSECUTOR AND DAVID LOPEDES EKAL ALIAS JOJA ....................................................... ACCUSED RULING 1. The Accused is charged with the ofience of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The particular of the ofience state that: On the 29th day of August, 2023 at Kware Village in Rongai Sub-County within Nakuru, murdered Julia Wangechi. 2. The accused denied the charge. 3. The defence made no submissions on “no case to answer”. Having perused the prosecution evidence against the charge. I find that a prima facie case warranting placing the Accused on her/his defence is made out (see definition of prima facie. Case in the often quoted case of Republuc –Vs- Ramilal Bhatt). 4. As is judicial practice, the court shall not give reasons for the decision so as not to give the impression that it has made up its mind before hearing any defence that may ofiered by the Accused. 5. The Accused is accordingly put on his defence to the charge. JUDGEMENT DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AT NAKURU THIS 4TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025. J. M. NANG’EA, JUDGE In the presence of: Mr. Wakasyaka for the DPP https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/kehc/2025/18187/eng@2025-12-04 1

page 1 of 2