Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani files application to block his arrest as he prepares to return to Kenya

Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani turns to courts for help

Mumbi Mutuko

September 5, 2019 9:37 AM

Punjani's return

Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani

Businessman Ali Punjani has filed an application at the High Court to bar his arrest when he returns in the country.

Punjani, who is being sought by police over drug trafficking made the application through his lawyer Jared Magolo.

“No charge has been preferred or any reason given for the threat and arrest of Mr Punjani,” lawyer Magolo argued in the application.

He pointed out that Punjani has been threatened with immediate arrest when he arrives in the country from abroad where he is seeking medical attention.

Palatial residence of Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani Pulse Live Kenya

Raid in Punjani's home

Magolo argued that Punjani had intended to come back on August 26 but his medical condition did not allow him.

According to Mr Punjani’s lawyer, his client's palatial residence was searched in the presence of his advocates and police did not find anything incriminating.

The officers took many of Punjani’s documents which included a title deed, bank books, cheque books, electronics, bank slips and records, and logbooks without any good reason, according to the application.

Police waiting for Punjani's return

Magolo added that without any good reasons, five people found in Punjani’s house were arrested and taken to a court in Shanzu where there was no charge preferred.

Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani Pulse Live Kenya

Police in Mombasa had said that upon his arrival, Mr Punjani will be arrested for interrogation, although his home is said to have been guarded by members of the police force.

“We will arrest him the minute he gets into the country. We want him to come and explain to us where he got all his wealth," outgoing Mombasa police boss Johnston Ipara.

"We got a lot of cheques, title deeds and more than Sh63,000 from his house during our crackdown,” he added.

Mumbi Mutuko