Third suspect in murder of 17-year-old refugee girl, Gaala Adan, released on Sh1 million bond
Just moments before her life was cut short, Adan told her mother that her abusers had confiscated her phone
A third suspect was yesterday released on a Sh1 million bond after he was arraigned over the murder of a 17-year-old refugee girl, Gaala Adan, in March this year in Hadado, Wajir County.
The accused, identified as Mussa Sheikh, jointly with others, before the court was charged with the murder of the minor after a second mental assessment report showed that Mussa was fit to stand trial.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge before Justice John Onyiego at the Garissa High Court.
The case is set for hearing later in October this year.
This comes after earlier, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) charged Mohammed Kassim Tiffow, husband to the deceased, and Adan Mohammed Ahmed with the murder of Gaala Adan.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Bernard Owour informed the court that Mussa Sheikh, jointly with others before the court, murdered Gaala Adan, a refugee girl aged 17, on 22nd March this year at Lolkuta South Sub-location, Wara Location, Hadado Sub-County, within Wajir County.
The deceased, born in January 2008, had been married to the first accused, Mohammed Kassim Tiffow (aged 40), in a ceremony held by Somali rites on 22nd February 2025 at Dagahaley Refugee Camp.
However, soon after the marriage, the relationship reportedly became abusive, particularly after Gaala Adan allegedly decided to reject the marriage.
In the days leading up to her tragic death, the deceased had reached out to her mother through a series of heartfelt voicemails. In these messages, she bravely detailed the relentless physical abuse she endured at the hands of her husband and his family.
She expressed her desperation and longing to escape her marriage, even voicing a painful wish to return to the refugee camp that had once been her home.
Just moments before her life was cut short, Adan told her mother that her abusers had confiscated her phone.
Not long after, a devastating call came to Adan’s mother, delivering the heartbreaking news that there was no longer any need for her to visit, as her daughter had been murdered.
Her body was later found burned beyond recognition, prompting police to jump into action following the outrage from the public and human rights defenders.
