Kenya’s Court of Appeal has temporarily halted the defamation suit that National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula brought against the BBC. Wetang’ula accuses the broadcaster of defaming him in the 2015 Panorama documentary “The Secret Bribes of Big Tobacco” and is seeking damages and costs over allegations that British American Tobacco bribed him while he served as Bungoma senator.

The BBC asked the appellate court to pause the High Court proceedings, arguing that letting the case continue would undermine its pending appeal and prevent access to crucial evidence held in UK courts. Wetang’ula opposed the request, describing it as procedurally flawed and unduly delayed.

The Court of Appeal found the BBC had raised an arguable point and said the delay in seeking the stay was not excessive. The judges also emphasized the constitutional right to a fair trial. They granted the stay, pausing the High Court action until the appeal is resolved, and ruled that costs will follow the outcome of the appeal.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.