Court Orders Probe into Kidnapping of Acquitted Westgate Mall Terror Suspect

A Nairobi court has ordered a probe into the mysterious abduction of Liban Abdillahi Omar, a Westgate mall terror suspect who was acquitted on October 7th.

Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi on Thursday directed the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to investigate the matter amid claims that police were behind the “abduction”.

Omar was allegedly whisked away by gunmen shortly after leaving the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi on October 8th.

He had just been cleared by ATPU to go home after Magistrate Andayi acquitted him of terror-related charges due to lack of evidence.

“Considering the evidence, I will give the benefit of doubt to the second accused person, that the communication was done by his brother, it wasn’t a link for him to have conspired to commit the offense,” magistrate Andayi ruled.

Two other suspects, Mohamed Ahmed and Hussein Hassan Mustafa, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit a terrorism act and being in possession of material promoting terrorism activity.

The Star reported that Omar was with his sisters when the gunmen driving in a Subaru hurriedly picked him and sped off. The incident took place near KCB Towers.

“They were armed, more than five of them. They took my brother by force and sped away,” his sister Sahara Abdulle told Reuters.

Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) pointed an accusing finger at the police, saying they are responsible for Omar’s ‘abduction.’

“If the police are not satisfied with the ruling they should appeal and follow the laid down processes,” said Muhuri chairman Khelef Khalifa.

Contacted for comment, Nairobi Central police commander Mark Wanjala said he was not aware of the abduction incident.