Planted Evidence? Boniface Mwangi’s Lawyers Deny DCI’s Claims in Arrest Drama
Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi’s legal team has strongly denied claims made by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) regarding the items allegedly found in his possession during his recent arrest.
The lawyers have accused the police of fabricating evidence in a bid to charge him with terrorism-related offences.
Speaking outside the Pangani Police Station on Sunday, July 20, Mwangi’s lead lawyer, Njanja Maina, firmly rejected a statement released by the DCI.
According to the agency, Mwangi had been found with a blank round of ammunition and tear gas canisters during a search at his office. However, Maina insisted that those items were not in Mwangi’s possession at any point, and accused the authorities of attempting to frame him.
“We have come across a statement by the DCI claiming that certain items were retrieved from Boniface Mwangi’s office. We want to categorically state that he did not have any such things. It’s unclear why the authorities are suddenly trying to accuse him of terrorism,” Maina said.
Mwangi was arrested on Saturday, July 19, at around 4 p.m. His legal team explained that soon after his arrest, he was taken to his office where the police had already obtained an ex parte court order to carry out a search. An ex parte order is typically granted without the knowledge or input of the affected party.
However, the legal team criticized the authorities for going beyond the limits of the court order. They revealed that despite the warrant being specific to Mwangi’s office, officers also proceeded to search his residence, which they argue was unlawful.
“Boniface was arrested at his home and later taken to his office for the search. The court had only authorized a search of his office, not his home. We are questioning why the police searched his residence when no arrest warrant or search warrant for his home existed. This was an overreach and a violation of his rights,” Maina stated.
The lawyer also revealed that Mwangi was currently being held on what is known as a “holding charge”—a temporary charge that allows police to continue investigations while keeping the suspect in custody. According to her, Mwangi is in good health and has been fully cooperative throughout the process.
Following his arrest, a group of fellow activists gathered outside Pangani Police Station. They kept vigil, chanting slogans and calling for Mwangi’s unconditional release.
In their official statement, the DCI claimed that in addition to the teargas canisters and blank ammunition, they also seized two mobile phones, a laptop, and several notebooks during the search.
Mwangi is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, July 21. He is expected to face charges related to the “facilitation of terrorism” during the nationwide protests that occurred on June 25.
The June 25 protests were held in memory of lives lost during previous demonstrations. Ironically, that same day ended in tragedy as well, with scores of demonstrators killed in clashes with law enforcement.
The protests were part of a larger wave of unrest that has gripped the country in recent months, driven by rising public dissatisfaction with the government.
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