The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has opposed an out-of-court settlement request by political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi.

Mr Ngunyi is facing a criminal case in relation to hate speech attributed to him.

The court was yesterday told that the commission and the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko wanted the case to proceed to a full hearing.

Ngunyi is charged with posting messages of ethnic contempt on his Twitter page and disparaging CORD leader Raila Odinga and the Luo community on social media.

He, however, denied the charge and is out on a Sh200,000 bond.

Nairobi Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku was told that the commission had written to Ngunyi’s lawyer on its intention to proceed with the case but did not get a reply.

Mutahi Ngunyi on the day he handed over a goat to Law Society of Kenya CEO Apollo Mboya as a symbol of an apology over the tweets he posted against the Luo community at his office on Sept 9, 2015. Mboya will act as concierge between Ngunyi and Luo council of elders. (PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/ STANDARD)

Prosecutors informed the court of their intent to proceed with the hearing, but the defence team led by lawyer Jennifer Shamala asked for an adjournment to allow them more time to prepare for the case.

Ms Shamala said she was surprised by NCIC’s decision to proceed with the case in court.

The court granted the request and set the hearing date for March 22.