Bomet man arrested over terror message post arraigned

 

Timothy Koech alias Josphat Langat (left) when he appeared before Bomet court over terror attack facebook post. [Gilbert Kimutahi, Standard]

A man arrested for posting terror message on Facebook has been arraigned before a Bomet court.

Timothy Koech alias Josphat Langat appeared before Bomet senior Resident Magistrate Kipkirui Kibelion but failed take plea after the prosecution requested for 8 days to complete investigations.

Lead prosecutor Derrick Wawire, said the prosecution said would wish to conduct forensic analysis into the accused person’s phone.

Wawire stated that the suspect might have conspired with others yet to be arrested to commit the crime and if released might interfere with investigations since "the matter is of public interest".

However the accused lawyer Desmond Leteipa opposed the request, arguing that detaining his client for more days would contravene his rights. 

Leteipa said police were in possession of the phone said to have been used by the suspect to commit the crime hence, "there is no way he will interfere with the investigation process."

He instead asked for the court to grant him reasonable bond terms.

In respect to this, the prosecution said that despite bond terms being allowed, the crime in which the suspect was being investigated for was serious and that they might need to hand him over to Anti-Terror Police Unit for further investigation.

The magistrate said he will consider the statements presented by the prosecution and lawyer representing the accused before giving a ruling.

The accused had allegedly posted a message on Facebook that a terror group was plotting an attack on Rift Valley Institute in Nakuru.

The accused was arrested dramatically on Sunday at Chepngaina in Bomet central.