Danstan Omari, one of the lawyers defending Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, has raised concerns over the OCS's phone being used to extort money from the public.
Speaking in court, the senior lawyer demanded that the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) explain how this was possible, given that the authority was the custodian of the device.
Reportedly, the phone had been used to solicit Ksh80,000 from Cliff Ombeta, who also represents the OCS, and an unidentified amount from his family.
As such, he called for the IPOA commissioners and lead investigators to be summoned to explain the situation.
"That phone number has been sending messages soliciting money. Among the victims is Mr Cliff Ombeta, who has been asked for Ksh80,000, and family members who are here. The phone is engaged in fundraising, claiming that the OCS is in a problem that requires money," Omari stated.
"This is a serious issue, that the commissioners of IPOA, who are in custody of the handset and the password, have allowed that phone and that contact to swindle citizens. We shall be seeking that the custodians of that phone be summoned to this court to explain how the phone in their custody can be used to defraud Kenyans."
Following this claim, an IPOA representative in court suggested that the phone might have been spoofed before it was handed over for investigations.
Spoofing is a deceptive technique where a phone number is manipulated to appear as though it belongs to someone else, allowing fraudsters to send messages or make calls that seem legitimate.
She also clarified that there was a clear chain of custody, and not even the counsel at IPOA had access to the phone. She sought the court's permission to retrace its activity and determine what was happening. Currently, she stated, the phone is in the custody of the lead investigator, Abdirahman Jibril.
Ultimately, the IPOA investigator was summoned to appear before the court on Friday, June 20, to explain the alleged activity.
"It is a very sensitive matter that is before us. We should equally take it with the seriousness it deserves, so let's have a mention where the lead investigating officer will come to court only for the purpose of confirming," Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi ordered.
Meanwhile, the court ordered that OCS Talaam remain in custody for 15 days pending investigations into the killing of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died at Central Police Station on Saturday, June 19.
Talaam was among the first persons of interest mentioned in the case after an autopsy report revealed that Ojwang had been tortured and strangled while in police custody.
