Why Two Nigerians Linked to Rita Waeni Murder Were Freed

Two Nigerians who had been in police custody in connection to the controversial murder of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) student Rita Waeni, have been freed.

The pair was set free after appearing before the Makadara Law Courts on February 15, 2024.

In the ruling, Magistrate Agnes Mwangi, released the two suspects as investigations into the murder continue.

The judge however directed that the two appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) every Wednesday pending the outcome of DNA tests.

Johnbull Asbour and William Ovie Opia had been in police custody since January 22, 2024, when they were arrested in connection to the murder of the University student.

Through their lawyer Victor Obuli, the pair requested the court to release them, also seeking an order for the release of their mobile phones.

The court had initially allowed law enforcers to detain the Nigerians for 21 days to allow them complete investigations into the case.

This detainment would allow the investigators to collect DNA samples from the suspects to see if they matched those on the deceased.

The police had also requested more time to analyze other recovered items such as laptops, sim cards, laptops and phones of the suspects.

Also Read: Govt Pathologist Reveals Cause of Rita Waeni’s Death

Also, the prosecution informed Magistrate Mwangi that the investigations have since been concluded, with the only pending task being the review of the DNA tests.

In his ruling, the judge ordered the police to release their confiscated mobile phones.

Nigerians Linked to Murder

20-year-old Rita Waeni, a student at JKUAT, was found dead on January 14, 2024.

Her dismembered body was discovered in a short-term accommodation apartment in Roysambu area in Nairobi with her head missing.

The head would later be found at a dam in Kiambu County on January 21, with police officers also obtaining other belongings of the slain university student at the scene.

Also Read: Autopsy Report Reveals How Rita Waeni Was Murdered

Following the discovery, the two Nigerian nationals were arrested in connection to the murder, adding to the list of suspects linked to the case.

According to police reports, William Opia had an expired passport while Absor was said to have lost his two years ago.

During their arrest, police also recovered several items including a butcher’s knife and an axe which one of the suspects said he had bought for self-defense.

The slain student was laid to rest at a private ceremony on February 5, 2024, according to her family.