DPP orders fresh probe into Nyali gun drama

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko. (Photo: Boniface Okendo)

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered fresh investigation into the New Year’s Eve gun drama involving a tycoon and the sons of a slain drug baron.

The directive follows claims the first probe on Mombasa business mogul Ali Badrudin Punjani and slain drug lord Ibrahim Abdalla Akasha’s sons was compromised.

Mr Punjani was secretly taken to court on Monday last week to plead to charges of affray (fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace), three days after Baktash Akasha, his younger brother Abdalla Ibrahim Akasha, Abdulsalam Akasha, and Indian national Vijaygiri Goswami were charged for the same crime.

SHOTS FIRED

The integrity of this probe has been in doubt since the fight took place. During the brawl, in a club in Nyali, Mombasa, several shots were fired sending other revellers scampering for safety.

There were initial claims that police were reluctant to charge some suspects due to their alleged ties with top civil servants on their payroll.

A senior police officer is already on suspension over the conduct of the probe that was only launched after The Standard published the story.

The Standard has established the DPP, through Senior Assistant DPP Alex Muteti, has ordered an investigation into five areas he believes were overlooked by the first probe.

“I have instructed the investigation officers to cover about five areas which they had left and ensure those mentioned in the case are charged with relevant charges,” said Mr Muteti yesterday.

There are reports that the DPP is not satisfied with the quality of the first investigation, leading to the affray charges amid allegations that crucial evidence and suspects were deliberately left out and the probe itself subverted, leading to less stringent charges against some suspects.

And there are also claims that despite misgivings about the “fighting in public” charges, some officers linked to the probe continue to endure obstacles in probing this matter.

No one has been charged over the incident despite police admissions that a gun or guns were fired during the brawl at Rahjan Club in Mombasa’s Nyali estate. And this gun has, allegedly, been traced to a man who died 20 years ago.

Meanwhile, disgruntled officers indicate some investigators in the matter have maintained inappropriate relations with some suspects to date, hindering a comprehensive probe.

The DPP now feels the details of what transpired at the club have not been fully brought into account and all witnesses questioned.