Jimi Wanjigi claims police destroyed property worth Ksh10M during his arrest

By , K24 Digital
On Wed, 19 Jan, 2022 13:02 | < 1 min read
Jimi Wanjigi.
Jimi Wanjigi. PHOTO/Courtesy

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi has told the court that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) destroyed property worth over Ksh10 million during his Tuesday dramatic arrest at his Kwacha offices.

Appearing before Milimani Law Courts, Wanjigi also told the court that the officers broke the law in his arrest claiming that the warrant of arrest that was issued against him was unconstitutional.

Through his lawyer Willis Otieno, the businessman argued that the warrant of arrest was illegal as no summons was issued against him to appear before the court to answer to any charge.

"They, forcefully, without a court order broke into his office premises and caused damage to property worth Ksh10M," Willis said.

"It's an abuse of your office and the judicial process to purport to arrest and arraign a suspect against a High Court order stopping any arrest and charges against my clients," he added. 

The lawyer, therefore, asked Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi to release his client and give him time to go and continue with his presidential election preparedness.

He further asked the prosecution team led by Evelyne Anuda to appear before the High Court next month if they opposed the court's directive barring Wanjigi's prosecution.

"I now pray that we convert ourselves to law-abiding citizens so that the drama witnessed last evening stops," Willis told the court.

On their side, the prosecution team told the court that they have not been served with any court orders stopping Wanjigi's prosecution and that the court should continue with the charges pressed against the tycoon.

Following arguments before the court, Magistrate Ochoi had adjourned the matter briefly to give the prosecution time to confirm if the DPP's office had received an order stopping Wanjigi's prosecution.