Former senate candidate in court over Shabaab recruitment

From left: Abdillahi Mohamed Islam, Sultwan Aboud Mzamil, Abubakar Famau and Abdulrahman Aboud Lali in a Lamu court where they were facing charges of recruiting young people to join Al-Shabaab. PHOTO | ATHMAN OMAR |

What you need to know:

  • Abdulrahman Aboud Lali suspected of recruiting young people in Hindi and Lamu.
  • Prosecution requests suspects be held for seven days to allow for police investigation.

A Lamu county senatorial candidate in the 2013 General Election was on Monday in court, accused of recruiting local youth to join Al-Shabaab.

The prosecution told Senior Resident Magistrate David Ireri that Abdulrahman Aboud Lali, 43, is suspected of recruiting people to be members of a terrorist group contrary to section 13(a) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act no 30 of 2012.

In a miscellaneous application, prosecutor Caleb Mutonyi asked for the police be granted seven days to detain Mr Lali and Abubakar Famau, 40, Abdillahi Mohamed Islam, 29, and Sultwan Aboud Mzamil, 25, in order to conclude their investigations.

In a sworn affidavit, investigation officer Kennedy Chikola stated that he believes the four have crucial leads that would result in further arrests.

“We strongly believe they have been recruiting youth from Hindi and Lamu areas to join Al-Shabaab and we believe they will help us in arresting more suspects,” added Mr Chikola.

He asked the court to also direct that the suspects be held at Mpeketoni Police Station.

NO COMPELLING REASONS

But in a quick rejoinder, defense counsel A.B Olaba opposed the application.

He submitted that there are no compelling reasons for his clients to be detained at Mpeketoni Police Station for seven days.

“The suspects are ready to abide by any conditions attached to their bond term. They (police) have every right to continue with their investigations while the suspects are out on bond,”

The four were arrested at a police road block at Minjila on Thursday while driving to Lamu before being taken to Mpeketoni Police Station.

Mr Chikola said they had confiscated material that linked the four to acts of terrorism and alliances with Al-Shabaab.

The Magistrate directed that the four be detained at Lamu Police Station pending ruling on Tuesday on whether to grant the prosecution’s application.