Contempt case against Boinnet struck out

Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet has been let off the hook after the Supreme Court rejected an application to jail him for six months for failing to release two Iranians who were acquitted in January.

Five judges led by Chief Justice David Maraga said the reasons given by the Mr Boinett to continue holding Mr Ahmad Abolfathi Mohammed and Mr Sayed Mansour Mousavi at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit were valid and not wilful disobedience of a court order.

Police defended holding the two Iranians, arguing that it was the best option.

“We would not perceive such a line of action as a wilful, or deliberate disobedience of court orders. It was a well-considered course of action, for balancing between respondents’ security, and compliance with court orders,” the judges said.

Through lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, the two Iranians had accused Mr Boinnet of disobeying a court order issued on February 23.