Suspect in the murder of 19 year old lady in Mombasa to be detained for 7 more days

By Tobby Otum

A Mombasa court has ordered a murder suspect, Faiza Ali Hassan, to be retained in custody for seven days to allow the police to carry out their own investigation.

Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Vincent Adet ordered the suspect in the murder of 19-year old Najma Maalim to be held in custody at the Changamwe police station.

He directed the suspect’s counsel Jared Magolo to be allowed to see her for the seven days while she is being held at the police station.

“The suspect will be brought and presented to the court for further direction on Thursday,” he directed.

Adet dismissed claims the suspect had fled the county saying there is no evidence to support the allegation.

The Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate said in his six-page ruling he agrees with the suspect’s counsel there was no proof the suspect had fled the country after the incident.

Adet argued that apart from the ongoing investigation there is nothing else that can warrant the suspect being placed in custody.

He said senior prosecution counsel from the office of the directorate of public prosecution [DDP] Maureen Anyumba has sought for the suspect to be retained for 14 days pending their investigations.

“The DDP said in their application they want the suspect to be held for 14 days arguing that the post-mortem carried out on the deceased’ body has not yet been availed to them,” he said.

The Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate said police officers have not yet got hold of crucial witnesses who are not within the county.