Preacher in court over illegal arms

Controversial preacher Aboud Rogo was on Monday charged with holding firearms, ammunition, hand grenades and detonators in circumstances that indicate he was armed with intent to commit murder. (READ: Sheikh Rogo arrested again, weapons seized)

Mr Rogo, who appeared before a Mombasa court also faced four counts of being in possession of firearms without certificates and another charge of being in possession of explosives.

The accused was calm and he denied all the charges.

He was remanded pending the hearing of the case on February 13 after the court allowed the prosecution’s application of denying him bail.

Lady Justice Lilian Mutende said there were compelling reasons why the preacher should be denied bail but noted that an application for the accused to be released on bond can be made at a later stage.

She said allegations that the accused is a security threat was a matter to have been demonstrated by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Samson Kiptum, opposed the release of the preacher on bond, saying investigations were not ready since the accused was arrested on Sunday.

Mr Kiptum also told the court that exhibits were yet to be submitted to ballistic experts in Nairobi to ascertain if they were used to commit offences elsewhere.

“We are apprehensive he may interfere with witnesses and is likely to abscond,” said Mr Kiptum in his application.

However, the defence opposed the prosecution’s application, saying the accused had a constitutional right to be released on bond and there was no suggestion that he would interfere with witnesses.

The court heard that the accused had another case in a Nairobi court and that he had been reporting to Mtwapa police station every Tuesday as ordered by the court, showing that he was not likely to abscond.

Mr Rogo allegedly jointly with others not before court was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, 113 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, two pistols and 102 detonators.

He is also alleged to have been found in possession of the weapons without firearm certificates.

He is said to have committed the offences on January 29 at Kanamai village in Kilifi County.