By Grace Gilo
During a Senate hearing regarding the circumstances surrounding Albert Ojwang’s death while in custody, Mohamed Amin, the Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), addressed why Ojwang was transferred from Homa Bay County to Nairobi.
Amin explained that the typical jurisdiction for a trial is determined by the location of the crime. However, in this case, officials believe that the offense was committed in Nairobi, which is why Ojwang was transported there despite being arrested in Homa Bay County.
“Offenses of cybercrime have a national jurisdiction as there is no way of justifying the place where it has been perpetrated. It is an offence that can be committed when one is travelling,” DCI Director Amin explained.
In response to allegations that Ojwang was taken to the DCI headquarters, Amin disclosed that the vehicle used to transfer him from Homa Bay County to Nairobi was a DCI vehicle, specifically a Subaru Forester model with the license plate number GKC 519B.
With this, he could technically confirm the movement of the Subaru by using the GPS.
“I can confirm without any fear of contradiction that from Homa Bay, the suspect was driven straight to Central Police Station and nowhere else,” he added.
He also affirmed that Ojwang’s arrest was legitimate and lawful, stating, “He was arrested for legitimate reasons in view of the complaint and the subsequent revelations by our investigations.”
Amin assured that Ojwang’ was taken straight to Central Police Station, where he was booked into the cells.
However, Amin revealed that before the booking, the report office personnel contacted the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), who declined to book the suspect.
“Talam is the officer commanding Central Police Station and from the totality of things, he should be treated as a prime suspect in the matter,” he remarked.
The DCI Director also reiterated that the deceased was treated with utmost humility throughout the journey from Homa Bay to Nairobi by the arresting officers.
“Indeed, while at Narok, he asked for refreshments and he was given some by the arresting officers,” Amin said.
“If the investigation establishes that the DCI officers participated in the killing of the deceased, then the law should take its course and suitable action should be taken against them,” he emphasized.