Fatou Bensouda ordered to delete names of witnesses who withdrew from William Ruto’s case

By Standard Digital Reporter

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to delete names of witnesses who withdrew from Deputy President William Ruto’s case and provide an updated list.

Trial Chamber V (A) judges who will hear the crime against humanity cases against William Ruto and former journalist Joshua Sang directed the prosecution to provide the updated list a week before trial set to Start on September 10.

While issuing directions on the conduct of proceedings at Ruto, Sang trial, Trial Chamber V (A) judges directed Bensouda’s team to file updated summaries of main facts on which each witness is expected to testify.

“The summaries must include a statement showing the relevance of the testimony relative to the charges,” the judges stated.

The judges also said the prosecution had requested 413 hours to question the 46 witness who were to testify but noted the time had reduced after the number of witnesses reduced to 42.

At the same time, the judges ruled that they will permit Ruto and Sang to enter submissions asserting that they have no case to answer after the prosecution concludes presenting its evidence

“The Chamber will in due course give both its reasons for permitting this manner of procedure and further guidance as to procedure and applicable legal test.”

The three judges hearing the case against Ruto and Sang are Judge Chile-Eboe-Osuji, Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia and Judge Robert Fremr.

Ruto is represented by lawyers Karim Khan, David Hooper, Essa Faal and Shyamala Alagendra.

Lawyers Katwa Kigen and Silas Chekera are appearing for Sang.