A firearms dealer identified as Ken Lugwili who had been arrested after 22 guns and 565 rounds of ammunition were found in his office, was on Friday, June 24 released on KSh. 300,000 cash bail.
Mr. Lugwili was arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu. Moreover, the prosecution wanted him detained for five days to allow completion of probe into the matter.
However, Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache ruled that the prosecution had not proved how the suspect would hinder forensic investigations. The Chief Magistrate also ordered that the suspect avail himself to officers in charge of the investigations when needed.
Ken Lugwili was arrested on Wednesday, June 22 by anti-terror police and appeared before magistrate Diana Mochache on Thursday, June 23.
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Moreover, the prosecution informed the court that they seek to determine the following:
- Whether the accused is a licensed civilian firearm holder
- Whether his two companies’ SILKEN security firm and VIC Technology Limited are licensed to deal in firearms
- Whether the recovered firearms are registered with the Firearms Licensing Board.
In addition, the anti-terror police seek to analyze Lugwili’s phone to investigate his communication with others. The police also suspect Lugwili to be involved with organized criminal or terror groups. Likewise, they want to check his financial records to see if he has connections with gun smugglers or terror networks.
Nevertheless, the suspect’s lawyers pushed for his release on cash bail, saying that Mr. Lugwili is not a flight risk, has cooperated with the authorities and is in need of medical attention as he suffers from diabetes and hypertension.
The case is set to be mentioned on July 7.