Lawyer Chacha Mwita detained for 14 days in terrorism case

Nairobi lawyer Chacha Mwita will spend more days in police custody.

This is after a Kahawa Law Court ordered for the continued detention of the lawyer to allow for investigations into terrorism charges.

While delivering the ruling, Principal Magistrate Gedion Kiage noted that it was important for the investigation process to be completed and evidence forwarded to the court before the accused could take a plea.

Mwita is facing at least four counts tied to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including offering services and financial support to terror entities.

He was arrested in Mombasa on November 14 and subsequently transported to Nairobi, where he spent the weekend in police custody.

Prosecutors allege that investigations have linked Mwita to a recruitment network in the Coastal region, purportedly assisting youths to join terrorist groups.

Detectives also claim that he used multiple mobile phone numbers to receive funds from Binance accounts allegedly connected to the financing of terrorist activities both locally and internationally.

James Machirah, representing the prosecution, outlined the charges before Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage, while Mwita’s legal team strongly denied the allegations.

Advocates Lempaa Soyinka and Ayota Magati argued that providing legal representation to terror suspects is not a criminal act, describing the case as an attempt by the State to frustrate lawyers from offering their services to accused individuals.

The case will come up for mention on December 1 for further court direction.