Businessman Jimi Wanjigi seeks court order to block arrest over 'Nane Nane' protests

In court documents seen by Citizen Digital, Wanjigi claims that police teargassed him and pursued him to his home, attempting to forcefully enter his residence to arrest him.

Wanjigi wants the court to declare the attempted arrest illegal and unconstitutional, arguing that it violates his rights.

"The Respondents' actions are not lawful, reasonable, or procedurally fair and therefore constitute a violation of Article 47 and Section 4 of the Fair Administrative Action Act, 2015," the court documents state.

"Furthermore, the Respondents' actions constitute a gross violation of the Constitution by state officers sworn to protect, respect, and defend the Constitution and the public's rights."

Wanjigi has also denied police reports that items including teargas canisters were allegedly seized from one of his escort vehicles at his Muthaiga residence.

"The Applicant denies knowledge of the stated items and discovery, categorically stating that the motor vehicle in which they were discovered if at all, does not belong to him or any of his associates or affiliates as reported," he adds.

In a press briefing on Thursday evening, the Inspector General of Police said police recovered four teargas canisters, two Motorola gadgets, seven assorted chargers for the pocket phone, and one mobile phone in a motor vehicle parked outside Wanjigi's gate.

Wanjigi had joined protesters in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) before police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them.

What followed was a dramatic motor vehicle chase involving Wanjigi's motorcade and police patrol vehicles from the CBD to Muthaiga via Thika Road.

The vehicle carrying Wanjigi reportedly made its way inside his compound as the chase car was abandoned outside the gate by the time police caught up with Wanjigi's convoy.

A heavy police contingent, including the DCI's Special Crimes Unit, camped outside Wanjigi's house, conducting forensic analysis on the abandoned vehicle.

According to acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, one person was arrested, and teargas canisters were found in the abandoned vehicle.

Police later ordered Wanjigi to surrender at the nearest police station, even as his family cried foul. THe businessman was yet to surrender by Friday morning.