Suspect storms court with ‘bodyguards’

Armed flying squad police officers arrest ten board guards that accompanied the murder suspect Henry Waswa at the Bungoma law courts on 23/3/2015. Waswa is facing murder charges for allegedly killing a Mombasa University College student last year. [PHOTO:TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD]

Bungoma, Kenya: Residents were treated to drama at the Bungoma Law Courts when a murder suspect accompanied by 10 “body guards” were ordered to lie on the grass by Flying Squad officers as a search for guns was carried on them.

The suspect, Henry Waswa, a prominent businessman, is accused of killing a university student in Kimilili last year and had been released on bond.

act fast

He had appeared for the hearing accompanied by guards in state-of-the-art vehicles but the police arrested them as they entered the court precincts.

“The guards had stormed the court with the suspect and we had to act fast because the complainant had alerted us that the youths might be dangerous,” said Bungoma OCPD Kirunya Limbitu.

Mr Waswa is accused of killing a second-year Mombasa University College student Mitch Kibiti. The County Public Administration Chief Officer David Kibiti is the father of the deceased.

Flying Squad officers moved in swiftly, forcing Waswa’s guards who initially tried to resist arrest to lie down as they searched their vehicles and pockets for any contraband material or illegal guns.

The defendant had been released on bail after a protracted legal tussle between the Director of Public Prosecutions and lawyers representing the accused. Waswa had been earlier ordered to surrender the firearm he used to shoot Kibiti but has not done so because he is a licensed gun holder.

Speaking when he appeared before judge Abida Ali Aroni, the accused’s lawyer J Amollo demanded to be told why his client was arrested when he was supposed to be in court.

rights abused

“Your honour, my client has been arrested in the court environment and his fundamental rights abused,” said Mr Amollo.

Investigating Officer Josphat Wambua told the court that  Waswa had refused to surrender his certificate despite being told to do so and a warrant of arrest was issued by a Magistrate Court.

However, the judge told the police to produce Waswa in court and re-arrest him after the court proceedings.

Police sources said investigations had revealed that the accused had fraudulently acquired the licence of the firearm and has failed to account for some bullets.

Mr Limbitu said they later released the 10 “bodyguards” after police failed to find anything on them.