The case involving lawyer Chacha Mwita has taken a sharp turn, drawing national attention as police and prosecutors push for more time to investigate him.
The authorities want him held longer as they look deeper into claims that connect him to activities linked to terrorism. The request before the Kahawa Law Court is for him to remain in custody for 20 more days so detectives can continue gathering information.
This application is expected to be decided on Wednesday, and many people are waiting to hear what the court will rule because the accusations are serious and unusual, especially for someone with his long legal career.
Mwita was arrested in Mombasa over the weekend before being transported to Nairobi, where he spent his time in police cells as investigators continued working on the case.
According to prosecutors, there are ongoing inquiries that suggest Mwita played a role in a recruitment network operating in the coastal region.
The officers handling the case believe he may have helped young people join terrorist groups, something he has always fought against in court while defending clients accused of similar crimes.
This contrast has made the case even more surprising to the public.
Detectives also claim that Mwita used several mobile phone numbers to receive money from Binance accounts.
They say these accounts are tied to a larger financing operation that supports terrorist activities inside and outside Kenya.
The prosecution team, led by James Machirah, stressed these allegations when presenting the case to Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage. The state insists that there is enough suspicion to justify keeping him in custody while they follow the money trail and interview more suspects linked to the network.
Mwita’s lawyers strongly pushed back, arguing that the accusations are meant to intimidate those who represent terror suspects in court. Advocates Lempaa Soyinka and Ayota Magati made it clear that giving legal services to someone accused of terrorism does not mean the lawyer supports or participates in those crimes.
They told the court that their client is being targeted because of the nature of his work and that the state is trying to discourage lawyers from defending individuals charged with terrorism.
They also reminded the court that Mwita is a veteran lawyer who has been in Kenyan courts for more than ten years representing people facing similar allegations.
This situation has now shifted roles dramatically. Mwita, who has often been the voice defending the rights of accused persons, has found himself in the same position as the people he once represented.
His case raises questions about the line between legal defence work and criminal involvement, something the court will likely consider as it decides on the request for extended detention.
If the court agrees to the application by the Anti-Terror Police Unit, Mwita will be held at the Industrial Area Police Station in Nairobi as investigations continue.
Authorities say more arrests are on the way as they uncover more details about what they describe as a terrorism and cryptocurrency financing network. The decision expected on Wednesday will determine how the next phase of this case unfolds, and it is clear that all sides are preparing for a tense legal battle.
Add Comment