DCI, IG Ordered to Return Watches, Phones, Jewellery Taken in Raid on Jimi Wanjigi’s Residence
The High Court has issued a significant ruling in favor of businessman Jimi Wanjigi, ordering the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to return valuables seized during a raid at his home.
The court barred the officers from re-entering Wanjigi’s residence until the case is heard and determined, delivering a temporary reprieve to the prominent businessman.
The court order, a blow to the state’s aggressive tactics, instructs the police to hand back items worth millions of shillings, including jewelry, high-end gadgets, and cash that were taken in the raid.
Wanjigi’s legal team, led by lawyer Willis Otieno, detailed an extensive list of valuables that were confiscated, which included “expensive rings, necklaces, watches, high-end phones, mobile communication gadgets, and cash.”
The seized jewelry reportedly included earrings valued at $40,319 (approximately KSh 5.2 million) and diamond and golden rings worth $6,912 (KSh 891,000). Otieno also listed an array of high-tech gadgets, such as “an iPhone 15 ProMax, iPhone 14, two Samsung Flip 5 devices, a house communication gadget, an Apple laptop, three Apple iPads, a Samsung tablet, and a DVR (HIKVISION Network Video Recorder).” Additionally, the police allegedly took $570 (KSh 73,000) in cash.
Wanjigi’s family, particularly his children, Maina and Wamboi, recounted the traumatic events of the police raid. Maina described the early morning raid, stating, “The officers showed up at our home and forced their way in by breaking the door.” He further added, “About five officers beat me up before extending the brute force to my sister and mother.”
Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, DCI Mohamed Amin, among others have been blocked from accessing Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi’s Muthaiga residence. In addition, they have been ordered to return the following items which the court says were illegally confiscated: pic.twitter.com/TuJL1Iq8tM
— NginaKirori (@NginaKirori) September 10, 2024
Wamboi, his daughter, expressed the emotional toll the incident had on the family, saying, “The police humiliated us, but the experience strengthened our will to stand behind our embattled father.”
Wanjigi’s lawyer, Otieno, characterized the raid as “a political witch-hunt” aimed at silencing his client due to his political stance against the government, adding that the officers “conducted an illegal search, breaking into his car and carting away important files.”
The court’s ruling is seen as a critical step in addressing the legality of the raid and the confiscation of Wanjigi’s property, offering temporary relief as the legal battle unfolds.
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DCI, IG Ordered to Return Watches, Phones, Jewellery Taken in Raid on Jimi Wanjigi’s Residence
