The two men, who have been in custody for 14 days pending investigations into alleged terrorism financing, stood in the dock as their legal team mounted a spirited defence against the prosecution’s application for further detention.

Osman, who fled to Kenya as a refugee after a bitter fallout with the Turkish government, now finds himself at the centre of a legal storm that his lawyers claim is motivated by greed rather than genuine security concerns.

Leading the defence, veteran Senior Counsel John Khaminwa pulled no punches in his submissions, alleging a sinister plot by powerful figures within the Kenyan government to have his client deported.

“There are people high up in government who want to deport Mr Osman so they can grab his properties valued at Sh6 billion,” Khaminwa told the court, his voice resonating with indignation.

“This is not about terrorism. This is about greed and the abuse of power.”

The accusations sent ripples through the packed courtroom, with spectators craning their necks to catch every word of the dramatic proceedings.

However, the prosecution maintained that the investigation was far from complete.

State counsel applied to have both respondents detained for an additional 14 days, arguing that crucial forensic evidence from laptops and mobile phone documents had yet to be extracted and analyzed by police investigators.

“The nature of this investigation requires meticulous examination of digital evidence,” the prosecution told Magistrate Odhiambo.

“We have several devices that contain potentially critical information, and forensic analysis takes time.”

The prosecution emphasized that the complexity of terrorism financing investigations, particularly those with international dimensions, necessitated thorough scrutiny of financial records and communication devices.

Osman’s journey to Kenya as a refugee has added layers of complexity to the case.

Having sought sanctuary in the country after his relationship with Ankara soured, the businessman has since accumulated substantial assets, including the contested Sh6 billion property portfolio that has now become a flashpoint in the legal battle.

His lawyers led by Senior Counsel John Khaminwa  and cliff Combeta argued that their client’s refugee status should afford him protection rather than persecution, and that the terrorism allegations were a convenient pretext for unlawful expropriation of his wealth.

The defence team also questioned the timing and motivation behind the arrests, suggesting that if the authorities had genuine security concerns, they would have acted much earlier.

Magistrate Odhiambo listened intently to arguments from both sides before reserving his ruling on the application.

The court is expected to deliver its decision on whether to grant the additional detention period in the coming days.

The case has attracted significant attention not only because of the amounts of money involved but also due to the international dimensions of the matter, touching on refugee rights, diplomatic relations, and Kenya’s role in regional security cooperation.

As proceedings continue, questions linger about whether justice will be served or whether Osman’s considerable wealth will indeed make him a target rather than insulate him from prosecution.

Both Osman and Sandikci remain in custody as investigations continue, their fate hanging in the balance as Magistrate Odhiambo weighs the competing claims of national security and allegations of political persecution.

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The decision has been hailed by conservationists as a “Christmas gift” for the preservation of one of the coastal town’s last public green spaces.

The petition challenges the development, citing violations of environmental regulations by the Attorney General, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministry of Lands and Housing, the Affordable Housing Board, and the Kilifi County Government.

According to Mohamed, the project threatens the park’s ecological integrity, and she strongly condemned the cutting of trees at Watamu Park to create space for the affordable housing project, calling it a serious threat to the environment and the town’s natural heritage.

Presiding over the case, Justice Mwangi Njoroge certified the matter as urgent and issued interim orders to maintain the status quo at plot number 70, Watamu.

“In the interim and having regard to the provisions of Article 70(1) (2) and (3) and the requirement of precautionary principle under section 3(5) (f) of the Environmental Management and Co-Ordination Act CAP 387, it is hereby ordered that the status quo of plot no 70 Watamu as at the date of this order shall be respected and observed by all the parties for a period of 14 days from today, that is until hearing inter-partes on 7/1/2026,” the judge ordered

The court also ordered the petitioner to  immediately serve the notice of motion to all respondents, who are required to file their responses within seven days.

The full hearing is scheduled to take place virtually on January 7, 2026.

Mohamed said the court’s action represents a significant step in protecting the park, adding, “This is a big step towards saving Watamu Park,” praising the court’s precautionary approach.

The court orders followed widespread protests by Watamu residents who opposed the government’s decision to cut down trees and build on the public park.

Locals argued that the development threatened the town’s environment, tourism, and community space.

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Justice Martin Muya issued the ultimatum in Nairobi, warning that he was granting the last adjournment in the matter.

“I have granted the Inspector-General the last adjournment. A comprehensive report on the whereabouts of the subject must be filed within seven days,” Justice Muya directed.

The case was filed by Mbijiwe’s family, who want the court to compel the State to account for his whereabouts, dead or alive.

Their lawyer, Evans Ondieki, accused key investigative and prosecution agencies of treating the matter casually and giving the court conflicting signals.

He told the court that the Inspector-General (IG), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been “shifting goalposts” instead of giving a clear update on what happened to Mbijiwe.

“These three agencies, the IG, the DCI and the DPP – have been shifting goalposts. They are not giving this court correct and candid information about the abduction of Mr Mbijiwe,” Ondieki submitted.

He said that on November 14 2025, a representative from the DPP’s office informed the court that they had received an investigation file from the DCI, but nothing had been disclosed about its contents.

“We were told on November 14 that a file from the DCI is now with the DPP. Up to today, neither the family nor this honourable court has been told what that file contains,” Ondieki added.

Mbijiwe was allegedly abducted four years ago, and his family says they have not received any concrete information about his fate.

“For four years, the family has been in the dark. They do not know whether their son is alive or dead,” Ondieki told the court.

The lawyer pressed the court to consider issuing a warrant of arrest against the IG if no meaningful progress is shown.

“We urge this court to consider issuing a warrant of arrest against the Inspector-General so that he can personally come here and explain what progress, if any, has been made in establishing the whereabouts of Mr Mbijiwe,” he said.

The court also heard that Mbijiwe’s mother has been making long, emotionally draining trips from Meru to attend the court sessions in Nairobi, hoping for answers.

Ondieki said her presence in court underscored the family’s pain and the urgency of the matter.

The case will now return to court on December 3, 2025, when the judge is expected to review the report to be filed by the Inspector-General and decide on the next steps, including whether coercive orders will be issued against top security officials if they are found to be dragging their feet.

The post Four Years On: Court Presses IG for Answers on Missing Security Analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe appeared first on Insider Bits News.

Appearing before Milimani law courts trial magistrate Rose Ndombi, Odour admitted the traffic charges levelled against him.

According to the charge sheet on the 9th day of October 2025at about 1440hrs along oloitoktok road within Nairobi county, being the driver of a motor vehicle registration number KBN 546s make Toyota Prado dangerously overtook the flow other motor vehicles.

‎In mitigation, Oduor asked the court for leniency, saying he was rushing to the airport and did not intend to break the law.

He also stated that he has not committed that offence before or arraigned in court of law, saying he is a first-time offender.

The prosecution told the court that they were unable to get the video recorded by CNN International correspondent Larry Madowobut admitted to having watched the video.

The court was also told that odour was arrogant and apologetic in the clip.

The magistrate ina short ruling ordered Oduor to pay a fine of 100,000 or one year in prison.

“Having considered the mitigation by the accused person found and held that the section under which he has been charged attracts a fine of sh 100,000 or 1 year imprisonment.” Ruled the magistrate.

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Justice Lawrence Mugambi on Monday flatly rejected an application by State Counsel Marwa, who had pleaded for 21 days, citing delays in coordinating among government departments.

“Your lordship, I am here to plead with the court to give me more time to be able to file my response to the petition. I would request the court to give me 21 days,” Marwa submitted.

But his plea was met with sharp opposition from Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who is representing Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale.

“They were served in July. For a whole two months, they have not even entered an appearance,” Karua fired back.

“If they had done so and were seeking time, one would understand. But they have done nothing.”

Karua urged the court to resist what she termed “institutional complacency,” warning that the case carried weighty implications beyond the two petitioners.

“This is not just about Dr. Besigye. It is about the sanctity of Kenyan borders, the rule of law, and regional security,” she stressed.

The petition traces back to November 16, 2024, when Besigye and Lutale had travelled to Kenya for Karua’s book launch.

Court papers allege that the duo was later “violently abducted” in Nairobi by armed men claiming to be police officers.

“They bundled us into vehicles, stopped to fuel their car, and drove straight to Malaba,” Besigye recalls in his affidavit.

“At the border, we were handed to Ugandan authorities in the dead of night.”

Once across the border, the pair was allegedly detained incommunicado at Makindye Military Barracks, denied access to lawyers, family, or medical help, before facing charges before Uganda’s General Court Martial, charges they insist were fabricated.

Adding fuel to the controversy, Uganda’s government has publicly claimed that the deportation was done in coordination with Kenyan authorities, a revelation now under judicial scrutiny.

In his ruling, Justice Mugambi said the State had already been accorded ample time.

“The respondents cannot sit on their hands for months and then expect unlimited indulgence from the court,” the judge ruled, ordering the AG to file all responses within 14 days.

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