By Evelyn Kwamboka
A West African businessman at the centre of a legal tussle with his estranged wife can continue living in Kenya.
The High Court yesterday extended orders barring Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ from deporting Mr Anthony Chinedu.
Justice Joseph Nyamu extended the orders until June 4 next year when a case he has filed will be heard.
He also ordered Chinedu and the minister to file their written submissions at the High Court within 30 days.
In the case, Chinedu is seeking orders under Judicial Review, quashing the Immigration Minister, Otieno Kajwang’s order to deport him.
Interfering with stay
He also seeks orders prohibiting the minister and the Attorney General, or their agents from interfering with his stay.
The case is on grounds that the tycoon has a valid visa issued by the department of Immigration and that he is legally married to a Kenyan woman, Ms Joyce Akinyi, since July 13, 2004.
In an affidavit filed by Chinedu, he claimed his wife had hatched a conspiracy with the police not to allow him access to his advocates.
In an affidavit filed in court by a senior Immigration official, Dume Odhiambo Wanda, Chinedu is allegedly a threat to the country’s national security. Mr Wanda, said police had in their possession classified information indicating Chinedu as one of the foreigners allegedly involved in trade in narcotics and money laundering.
The official said the Immigration and Registration of Persons Ministry received the information on May 17, last year. He said Chinedu had been charged in Kenyan courts severally, although no convictions had been made.
"The applicant is an undesirable character and ought to be deported to preserve the ideals of a crime-free society, morality, health and democracy," he said.
Dismiss suit
The State wants Chinedu’s suit challenging its decision to deport him dismissed.
According to Wanda, the deportation order is still in force and the move to arrest and detain him for that is within the law.
