NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 1 – The Busia High Court on Thursday granted the prosecution’s application to detain the Busia Officer Commanding Station, his deputy, the petty crimes officer, and a businessman for 14 days.
The four individuals were apprehended and brought before the court on charges of defrauding a German of Sh2.6 million.
In a miscellaneous application, the prosecution requested the court to hold Chief Inspector Wairia (OCS), Inspector of Police Kibelio (Deputy OCS), Corporal Douglas Rono (in-charge of petty crimes), and Paul Wanjala (businessman) in police custody for two weeks to allow investigating officers to complete their investigations.
“The matter had initially been presented before the Busia Chief Magistrate but was later moved to the High Court for directions after the trial court recused itself, citing a conflict of interest, as the respondents were officers of the court,” stated the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Thursday.
Busia High Court Judge Justice W. Musyoka ruled that the four be held at Kakamega police station pending the completion of investigations.
Additionally, he granted the application to have the matter heard in another jurisdiction.
The prosecution of the case was led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Shirley Chepkonga.