Kenyan court seeks senior police officer over ivory trafficking

A Kenyan court on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest against a senior police officer in a case involving ivory kingpin Feisal Mohammed.

The warrant was issued against the former Makupa police chief David Muli for disobeying court summons in a case he is accused of interfering with the exhibits.

Muli had ignored summons that were issued late last year to explain the disappearance of nine vehicles which were to be used as exhibits in Feisal's case.

Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku said that it was not in order for a person entitled to observe law and order to defy the same.

"I hereby order him to be arrested and explain to court, why he has disregarded the court orders, let him come in person and explain why he should not be punished," said Kituku.

The vehicles are alleged to be involved in ferrying 314 pieces of ivory, where ivory trafficking kingpin Mohammed and four others are charged with dealing in wildlife trophies. The case will be heard on Jan. 30.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Alex Muteti said he had sought the summons against three senior officers including the Makupa police chief and his deputy following a raid at Fuji Motors East Africa that resulted in the disappearance of 11 vehicles.

The vehicles were among several exhibits held in connection with the seizure of 228 tusks and 74 ivory at warehouse situated in Tudor Estate Mombasa.

The exhibits had been subjects of a court order that restricted their removal or interference but officers from Makupa police station controversially stood guard at the yard as a businessman under the armed security took hold of several vehicles.

On Jan. 4, Mombasa court denied Feisal a bond over ivory trafficking charges.

Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku said Mohamed who was arrested late last year in Tanzania by Interpol was running away from justice since he knew the charges he was facing in Kenya.

Kituku said the prosecution has compelling reasons to indicate Mohamed chose to leave in Tanzania where he was arrested by Interpol to avoid facing the criminal proceeding.

According to police, Mohamed was the mastermind of ivory poaching and he allegedly escaped police dragnet when police raided the warehouse.

He was highlighted by Interpol's Operation Infra Terra (International Fugitive Round Up and Arrest) and featured in a worldwide Interpol public appeal for information in November. Endi