Ian Njoroge, a 19-year-old student accused of assaulting a police officer has been released on a bond of Ksh700,000.
His release came despite an argument by prosecution lawyers that his release would put him in imminent danger given his relationship with the police.
However, Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate stated that the argument that he will be in imminent danger if released was a “ghastly thought” coming from the police.
According to the police, other officers wanted revenge for the alleged assault and therefore the argument that the suspect would not be safe outside the cells.
Ian Njoroge is accused of attacking a traffic police officer along Kamiti Road in Kasarani.
He was charged with robbery with violence, grievous harm and resisting arrest after the Sunday, June 2, incident.
Also Read: Police Officer That Arrested Ian Njoroge Among Cops Arrested; Here’s Why
Lawyer Defends Ian in Court
Defending the 19-year-old, his lawyer Duncan Okatch revealed that he was a member of the Christian Union and school choir in his university as was therefore a dutiful member of the society.
“He is a Christian, a member of the university choir and Christian Union. They have not denied is that he is a student. What they have said is that his crime was to run away to his mother’s house. Did they expect a 19-year-old to have a home?
“He is available, he will attend court dutifully as and when he is required. The prosecution goes on to wail louder than the accused, saying that the bereaved will be insecure. It is the duty of the state to ensure the safety of all citizens,” he said.
Additionally, he argued that Ian Njoroge, a student, was not in capacity of interfering with witnesses.
“We are at pains to submit how a 19-year-old student will interfere with a 57-year-old police officer and the witnesses lined up by the police officers with unlimited tools of violence including machines of violence,” added the lawyer.
Earlier, the Office of The Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) asked the court not to release Ian Njoroge on bail, asking the court for 14 days to get a probation report. However, they were ordered to present the report by 2:00 PM instead.
Also Read: Police Officer Beaten Up by Ian Njoroge Breaks Silence
Cop Who Arrested Ian Njoroge Implicated in Another Case
On Thursday, June 6, 2024, a police officer who was among the cops that arrested Ian Njoroge, was arrested among eight others for engaging in various crimes within Nairobi, which include robbery with violence.
According to police records, some of the officers were also accused of extortion and obtaining bribes.
In a separate incident, two civilians and four police officers were implicated in a case or robbery where over Ksh2 million was stolen from a locked motor vehicle.
The suspects were reported to have trailed a school accountant, with preliminary investigations by police finding that two suspects had already been arrested by unknown individuals in a Subaru make vehicle.
The officers who were not on official duty were found to be in possession of Ksh350,000 inside the car with a further Ksh123,000 being recovered from the pockets of one of the officers.
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