This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
Kenya: Punjani Ordered to Serve IG, DPP With Orders to Stop His Arrest ¶
On September 6, 2019, Justice Farah Amin of the High Court in Mombasa directed Mombasa tycoon Ali Badrudin Punjani to serve the Inspector General of Police and Director of Public Prosecutions with an application seeking bail to prevent his arrest.
The application, filed through lawyer Jared Magolo, was directed to be served not later than 10am on Friday. The Judge also directed the application to be mentioned on Monday next week before the judge on duty.
Mr. Punjani, who is suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, had filed the application on Wednesday seeking to be granted bail to prevent arrest by police. He claimed that he had been threatened with arrest upon landing in the country from abroad where he was seeking medical attention.
According to the application, Mr. Punjani's palatial residence was searched on August 13, and nothing incriminating was found. The officers took many of Mr. Punjani's documents, including a title deed, bank books, cheque books, electronics, bank slips and records, and log books.
Mr. Magolo argued that without any good reasons, five people found in Mr. Punjani's house were arrested and taken to a court in Shanzu where there was no charge preferred against them. The application in Shanzu court was eventually dismissed, and those to be arrested were released and the file closed.
Mr. Magolo further said that there continues to be a threat of arresting Mr. Punjani as soon as he arrives in the country without giving any reasons. He argued that it is a clear breach of the applicants' right that he seeks to be released on bond to prevent unnecessary arrest.
