Court allows trader jailed for ivory possession to appeal

Mombasa businessman Feisal Mohamed Ali (left) with his lawyer Taib Ali at the Mombasa Law Court on November 17, 2016. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Through his lawyer Taib Ali Taib, Mr Ali had made an application to amend his petition and be allowed to file a supplementary affidavit.

Businessman Feisal Mohamed Ali has been allowed to file an amended petition of appeal in a case where he is seeking to challenge a 20-year jail term imposed on him after he was found guilty of being in possession of ivory valued at Sh44 million.

Through his lawyer Taib Ali Taib, Mr Ali had made an application to amend his petition and be allowed to file a supplementary affidavit.

Justice Dorah Chepkwony allowed the application directing the amended petition and the supplementary affidavit to be filed within 21 days.

Ms Chepkwony also directed the court’s deputy registrar to prepare a record of appeal within seven days following the presenting of certified proceedings from the lower court where Mr Ali was convicted and sentenced.

Mr Taib had also informed the court that his client is suffering from a medical condition that required urgent medical attention.

Mr Ali wants the conviction against him set aside, saying the trial court found out that evidence by crucial prosecution witnesses was shaky and used it to acquit his co-accused yet used the same to convict him.