A police officer identified as Martin Munyi Ireri, was on Monday, April 4, remanded over links to the outlawed Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terror group.
Officer Munyi and two other suspects, Paul Mwangangi Mutinda and Jeremiah Nguge Mburu were arrested in possession of various suspicious items including 4 modified hand grenades and a t-shirt, all of which were presented as evidence before the court.
In her ruling, Magistrate Carolyne Muthoni Nzobe, directed that the 3 suspects be remanded for ten days for investigations to establish their link with the Al-Shabaab.
The prosecution had applied to have the suspects detained for an extended period, to allow detectives attached to the case to wind up their investigations.
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"The case is multi-faceted involving various investigation arms. Due to their complexity, I, therefore, find the application is merited, it is allowed.
"Factoring in that the suspects were arrested on a public holiday preceding a weekend, they will be remanded for an additional 10 days pending the conclusion of investigations at Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters," reads the Magistrate's ruling in part.
Defense lawyer Paul Mugwe had opposed the motion to detain the suspects that were presented by the state prosecution, arguing that the officer was actually a campaigner against terrorist groups.
"I am of a different view that this is not a suspect of terrorism, he's a campaigner against it by virtue of the exhibits presented.
"Your Honour, the application and the supporting affidavit present a simple and clear explanation, of where these items come from. Without prejudicing the 3rd suspect, he is a police officer who has access and custody of such items," he argued.
However, his requests were denied with the magistrate ruling that their cases would be mentioned on May 14.
