This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On August 15, 2019, a Mombasa court released the wife of tycoon Ali Punjani and four others who were arrested in a drug trafficking probe.
The suspects, including Ms Karki Sushmita, her nephew Bashyal Shiva Prasad, his friend Ram Manoj, and two workers, Lucy Njeri Njane and Bonface Maelo, were arrested at Ali Punjani's palatial home in Nyali.
Prosecutor Shakwila Ayekha told the court that they could not charge the suspects since they had not completed the investigation.
Magistrate David Odhiambo released the suspects after the prosecution sought to close the file for lack of evidence to prefer charges against them.
"It is now apparent that the prosecution was not ready to charge the respondents. You can go out, look up at the sky and thank God that your fundamental rights have been upheld by the law," Mr Odhiambo told the suspects.
