Wanjigi breathes sigh of relief as court stops his prosecution in firearms case

Embattled businessman Jimi Wanjigi can now breathe a sigh of relief after the High Court issued orders barring his prosecution over allegations of illegal firearm possession.

This follows an application filed by Wanjigi on Monday, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) listed as a respondent, and certified as urgent.

Milimani High Court Justice Bahati Mwamuye on Tuesday ruled in favour of the former presidential candidate, stopping the ODPP from confiscating, retaining, or interfering with any firearms registered to him.

“Pending the hearing and determination of the Application dated 19/08/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Respondents, jointly and/or severally, from limiting, suspending, or revoking Firearms Certificate No. 9522 held by the Applicant or confiscating, retaining, or interfering with any firearms or accessories registered or owned by the Petitioner/Applicant pursuant to Firearms Certificate No. 9522,” read the ruling.

The Judge also issued conservatory orders “restraining the respondents, jointly and/or severally, from instituting, preferring, or continuing any charges or criminal prosecution of the Petitioner/Applicant with respect to any firearms or accessories registered or owned by the Petitioner/Applicant pursuant to Firearms Certificate.”          

The court at the same time directed the prosecution to stay any criminal charges levelled against Wanjigi in respect to the firearm certificate pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The case was set for mention on September 19, 2024.

Wanjigi was arrested by the DCI on Monday after presenting himself for grilling over his alleged funding of the anti-government protests.

He has since been released on a personal bond of Ksh.10 million after appearing in court on Tuesday, where he was ordered to surrender his passport pending a ruling scheduled for September 12 on whether he will enter a plea.