Rogo's ally turns self in to face charges

An associate of Islamic preacher Aboud Rogo has denied charges of incitement to violence and disobeying the law.

Rogo's killing last week triggered violence that left three prison warders dead in Mombasa.

Last week, police obtained a warrant of arrest for Mr Abubaker Shariff Ahmed alias Makaburi and was remanded in custody last Thursday.

Senior resident magistrate Elvis Michieka is expected to rule on Wednesday on Mr Ahmed’s bond application.

Prior to pleading to the charges, his lawyer, Mr Mbugua Mureithi, applied to have the warrant of arrest against his client lifted saying the accused was not aware of the existence of the charges.

The magistrate lifted the warrant after prosecutor Peter Munguti said he had no objection to the application. However, Mr Munguti applied to have the accused remanded in custody for two days to assist police with investigations.

“I’m applying for the accused to be remanded in custody for formal charging, investigations are not yet complete,” said Mr Munguti, adding that there were processes to be followed prior to an individual being prosecuted.

Mr Mbugua opposed the application and urged the court to release Mr Ahmed. He argued that when the charges were preferred no allegations were made that the accused was at large and that the prosecution only made an application for a warrant of arrest.

“The accused has demonstrated he is not a fugitive; he has brought himself to court,” said Mr Mbugua, adding that Mr Ahmed knew of the charges through the media.

He said the accused had been reporting to Makupa Police Station every Tuesday pursuit to a ruling issued in regard to a case he is facing at a Nairobi court.

Mr Ahmed allegedly uttered words that all sheikhs associated to the government should be slaughtered, all churches be burnt down and any police officer on sight be killed.

The offences were allegedly committed at Masjid Musa Mosque in Majengo, Mombasa County, on August 27.