Trial of Briton in bomb plot adjourned

The trial of a British citizen facing terrorism related charges in a Kenyan court was on Monday adjourned for two months after it emerged exhibits in the case have been sent to the UK for further analysis.

Mr Jermain Grant alias Ali Mohamed, a British citizen from Newham, east London, is charged of being in possession of explosive materials alongside Mr Fuad Abubakar and Ms Warda Breik.

The three suspects were allegedly found in possession of acetone, hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate, sulphur sublimed and lead nitrate chemicals, four size AA batteries, an electric switch and a piece of electric current conducting wire.

Assistant director of public prosecution in charge of Coast, Mr Jacob Ondari, while making an application for adjournment, told a Mombasa court that the exhibits are yet to be returned to Kenya.

Mr Ondari told senior principal magistrate Ms Joyce Gandani that although he had four witnesses present in court, he could not proceed with the matter since the witnesses will be required to refer to the exhibits.

He also informed the court that he will be seeking to make an application for protection of two witnesses whom he said have expressed fear of their lives.

“We know who requires protection....when time comes we will make application for the protection of witnesses, “said Mr Ondari.

Innocent citizens

The prosecutor said the exhibits had first been taken for analysis in Nairobi before being taken to the UK.

Defence lawyers Messrs Chacha Mwita and Jared Bosire objected to the prosecution's application to have the matter adjourned.

“The matter has attracted national interest...the better for it to be dispensed with,” said Mr Chacha adding that they have a report from the government chemist hence no need to rely on “former colonial masters”.

On his part Mr Bosire said the prosecution and the investigation team had more time to conclude their investigations and that the witnesses present ought to take to the stand.

The prosecution's application to have the matter adjourned was allowed and the case was fixed for hearing on May 9 and 10.

The offence is alleged to have been committed on December 20 last year in Kisauni area, Mombasa.

In the second count, in which they have jointly been charged with Mr Frank Nyenyo, they allegedly conspired to improvise an explosive device with the intent to cause loss of lives and harm to innocent citizens.

The offence is alleged to have been committed on diverse dates between December 20 and 28 last year at Kisauni and Kaloleni areas.

Mr Abubakar is also alleged to have knowingly harboured Mr Grant who is an alien and citizen of the United Kingdom without any legal identification documents.

Mr Grant is currently serving a three year jail term after pleading guilty to giving false information to a police officer and being unlawfully present in the country.

The court sentenced the accused to one year imprisonment to giving false information and another two years jail term for being unlawfully present in the country.

According to Lawyer Mwita who is representing Mr Grant, his client is being kept in isolation despite the fact that he is a convict.