This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
On August 15, 2019, police raided the palatial home of Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani in Nyali, arresting his wife, Karki Sushmita, and four others in connection with a drug trafficking probe.
However, just a day later, on August 16, 2019, Shanzu Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo released the suspects after the prosecution sought to close the file for lack of evidence.
"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.
Prosecutor Shakwila Ayekha told the court that they could not charge the suspects since they had not completed the investigation, and a duplicate file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Nairobi for further advice.
Through lawyer Jared Magolo, the suspects told the court they had no problem with closure of the file, but requested an apology for wasting their time in custody.
