Nairobi court closes Chinedu's case

The state has temporarily closed a file in which deported Nigerian businessman Anthony Chinedu was charged with drugs related offences.

A state counsel told a Nairobi court there were “express orders” to withdraw the charges against the Nigerian under a section of law that allows re-arrest and future prosecution. Read (Nigerian Chinedu charged with drug offence)

Mr Chinedu had been charged with being in possession of narcotics drugs at his former residence in upmarket Kileleshwa, Nairobi.

He had also faced a charge of refusing to let an anti-narcotics team search the premise.

The prosecution had contended that the packaging plastic bags and two digital weighing machines believed to be used in preparing narcotics were found in the businessman’s house thus linking him to the drugs trade. The materials are outlawed under section 5 of the narcotic drugs act.

Mr Chinedu had also been accused of refusing to open his door even after the police identified themselves and disclosed the nature of their mission on April 13.

Earlier, an investigating officer had opposed his release on bond but a trial court rejected the request to have him detained, releasing him on a bond of Sh200,000 pending hearing.

He had also been charged with being in the country illegally and presenting falsified documents, but the state dropped the charges after further investigations.

The businessman was sensationally kicked out of the country mid last month following a presidential order that required that all foreigners suspected of illegal stay and involvement in “ shady businesses” be deported. Read (Police defend move to send Chinedu back to homeland)

He was amongst 11 foreigners Kenya sent packing, sparking off diplomatic protests.

Mr Chinedu has been embroiled in a protracted legal tussle pitting him against his former Kenyan wife Joyce Akinyi over the ownership of a multimillion worth estate in Nairobi.

Magistrate Joseph Karanja allowed the withdrawal and ordered the file closed.