Kenyan testifies in court

CEBU, Philippines - The Kenyan national who was arrested for illegal drugs strongly denied ownership of the substance confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when she arrived at the Mactan Cebu Airport.

Wailing twice when presented as witness during the marathon hearing yesterday afternoon at the sala of Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 27 Presiding Judge Toribio Quiwag, Asha Atieno Oguto admitted ownership of the brown bag but denied ownership of the two packs of shabu.

Oguto was presented by lawyer Ricardo Amores.

During the cross examination made by Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor Dinah Jane Portugal, Oguto denied ownership of the shabu confiscated inside her bag.

She told the court she has no knowledge about shabu and it was, in fact, the first time in her entire life to see such a thing.

Oguto claimed she visited the country for a one week vacation after a friend convinced her to visit the country especially Cebu.

Oguto said that as early as March 2011 she met a friend through the internet in the name of Selin who is from Contonou, Benin. She said they discussed personal and business concerns since she is in the fashion business.

Sometime in June, her friend Selin visited her at Narobi, Kenya and studied her clothing business.

Oguto also visited Selin at Cotonou, Benin on September 13, 2011.

She further said that Selin convinced her to have a vacation in another place and convinced her to visit Philippines. Selin even shouldered her plane tickets and hotel accommodation in Lapu-Lapu City.

She told the court that she personally prepared her brown bag and placed no drugs inside.

She was surprised when customs officials examined the bag allegedly containing two big packs or three kilos of shabu worth P18 million.

She further stressed that her visit was for vacation and possible business opportunities. She insisted she is not involved in drug trafficking.

She said her bag contained some dresses, personal accessories, expensive clothing as sample for her business and money in the amount of P3,000 US dollars and 2,000 riyals.

She maintained that she is innocent and that she will never entertain the idea of involving herself in the illegal drug business because she does not want to ruin her life, most especially the life of her two young children.

“I ask the Honorable Judge to clear my name by dismissing this case because as what I said and God knows that I did not bring with me the two packs which contain allegedly illegal drugs and again, I will ask the Honorable Judge to dismiss my case,” said Oguto.

Amores said Oguto is his lone witness of the case. — (FREEMAN)