Embattled and controversial firearms dealer who was dramatically seized in possession of a cache of weapons during an auctioneering raid at his Kilimani apartment over accumulated rent arrears has been released on a Sh300,000 cash bail.
Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache of Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu has today morning ruled that Wycliffe Ken Lugwili Okello alias ‘General Defao’ to always avail himself to the investigating officers when required.
“He shall report to the Investigating Officer as and when directed and not more than twice a week,” the magistrate ruled.
The prosecution had sought to detain him for five days to allow for the completion of investigations into the matter.
But the Chief Magistrate ruled that the prosecution had not demonstrated how the accused would interfere with forensic investigations.
Lugwili was arrested in connection with 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition.
The court was informed he is sick.
Lugwili was arrested by Special Service Unit (SSU) detectives attached to Kilimani Police Station on Wednesday before being handed over to the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) sleuths.
Yesterday, he was taken to court but did not take plea after the prosecution side filed a miscellaneous application seeking to detain him for five days to complete investigations.
The prosecution told the court that they will seek to determine whether Lugwili is a licensed civilian firearm holder, whether his two companies Silken Security firm and VIC-Technology Limited are licensed to deal in firearms and whether the recovered firearms are registered with the Firearms Licensing Board.
They further want to analyse his phones to probe the communication between Lugwili and other persons as they believe he could be having connections to some organised criminal groups or terror groups.
Embattled and controversial firearms dealer who was dramatically seized in possession of a cache of weapons during an auctioneering raid at his Kilimani apartment over accumulated rent arrears has been released on a Sh300,000 cash bail.
Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache of Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu has today morning ruled that Wycliffe Ken Lugwili Okello alias ‘General Defao’ to always avail himself to the investigating officers when required.
“He shall report to the Investigating Officer as and when directed and not more than twice a week,” the magistrate ruled.
The prosecution had sought to detain him for five days to allow for the completion of investigations into the matter.
But the Chief Magistrate ruled that the prosecution had not demonstrated how the accused would interfere with forensic investigations.
Lugwili was arrested in connection with 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition.
He was arrested by Special Service Unit (SSU) detectives attached to Kilimani Police Station on Wednesday before being handed over to the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) sleuths.
Yesterday, he was taken to court but did not take plea after the prosecution side filed a miscellaneous application seeking to detain him for five days to complete investigations.
The prosecution told the court that they will seek to determine whether Lugwili is a licensed civilian firearm holder, whether his two companies Silken Security firm and VIC-Technology Limited are licensed to deal in firearms and whether the recovered firearms are registered with the Firearms Licensing Board.
They further want to analyse his phones to probe the communication between Lugwili and other persons as they believe he could be having connections to some organised criminal groups or terror groups.
Further, they want to analyze Lugwili’s financial records to determine whether there are any links between him and gun smugglers or terror networks.
Lugwili’s lawyers Simon Mburu and Anthony Kogo asked for his release on cash bail arguing he is not a flight risk, has cooperated with the authorities and is in need of medical attention as he suffers from diabetes and hypertension.
The case will be mentioned on July 7.
Accompanied by Kilimani-based police officers, Hebros auctioneers gained entry into Lugwili office, ready to issue a notification of sale of any worthy items in a bid to recover rent arrears amounting to Sh4,962,990.
Once inside, a quick search revealed an armoury, stocked with an assortment of weapons of different caliber and hundreds of ammunition.
Detectives said they have since established that the suspect was a licensed firearm dealer but his license was suspended over three years ago.
The recovery was made at an office along Wood Avenue in Kilimani area, Nairobi where a distress man had had his valuables put on auction for failing to pay the rent.
The weapons included nine escort magnum short guns, one Benelli short gun, five Guatro short guns, one savage short gun, six Walter pistols, and a total of 565 ammunition of assorted different calibers.
Police said they also found 25 pistol holsters, dozens of magazine carriers, 30 slings, ten sniper torches and a certificate of registration as a firearm dealer.
The team also found firearm movement register and assorted firearm manuals.
Officers handling the case said his license to handle and sell the weapons expired in 2018.