Court issues warrant of arrest for cop who investigated ex-CS Echesa case

Court issues warrant of arrest for cop who investigated ex-CS Echesa case

A warrant of arrest has been issued for an investigations officer in the Rashid Echesa case.

Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot issued the directive on Monday and set August 3, 2020 as date for mention of the matter.

“That warrant of arrest be issued for the investigating officer Pc John Munjama and be effected directed that the arrest warrant be effected by the County Police Commander Nairobi City County,” the order reads.

The court had earlier directed that Echesa’s firearms and vehicle be released to him but that order is yet to be effected.

The case involves the former Sports CS and three other accused persons namely Daniel Otieno Omondi alias General Juma, Clifford Okoth Onyango alias Paul, and Kennedy Oyoo Mboya.

On February 17 this year, the four were freed on a Ksh.3 million bond with a surety of a similar amount or a Ksh.1 million cash bail each after denying fraud charges in a military arms deal.

The four were accused of, among other things, attempting to obtain a total of Ksh.39,544,200,000 from a foreigner by falsely pretending that they would award him a tender by the State Department to supply military equipment.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to all counts – obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to commit a felony, uttering a false document – with Echesa terming the case a political witch hunt.

The defence team also sought the release of two motor vehicles being held following the suspects’ arrest saying: “We have not been told if the offences were committed using those vehicles.”

“During the search in Echesa’s house, two firearms were taken by the officers and this was done against the court order issued by Justice Njangi of the Kakamega High Court. From the charge sheet there’s no offence that has been committed using the firearms,” said Echesa’s lawyers.

The prosecution however urged the court to dismiss the plea saying the cars and the firearms are exhibits and that it will be premature to release them.

The court hence denied the plea to have the cars and firearms released, urging the defence team to make a formal application.

However, on June 4, 2020, a Nairobi court directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to hand back to Echesa the two pistols and a Range Rover vehicle.

“I find that and hold that the applicant is entitled to possess the firearm and to also enjoy his motor vehicle,” ruled the Magistrate.

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