Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has today afternoon recorded a statement on the case where a blogger was abducted, assaulted and gang-raped over a social media post that besmirched the Governor and his mother.
Governor Nassir told journalists after he left the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices that no one is above him and he is ready to present his mother if she will be summoned all he wants is the blogger to get justice.
He urged the DCI detectives to hasten the probe and get to the bottom of the case. He encouraged persons with information relating to the case to avail it to the authorities. The Governor said he is ready to present his mother if she will be summoned.
“I have said it before and I have done it at my nearest possible time. I went to the DCI, and I have recorded my statement. The best we can all be able to do is for anyone who has any form of information to just go. It is the only way that this young man can be able to get justice,” he stated.
“There is no normal human being who will say that whatever happened is the right thing. Of course, I condemned it but at the same time we need to be able now to talk about justice for this young man,” he added.
The Governor who has been adversely mentioned in the case, said he has given the DCI the information that may assist in the ongoing investigations of the case.
He condemned the heinous act that was meted out to the 25-year-old blogger. “These are things that we don’t want to see not just in Mombasa but anywhere in this country. These are things that shouldn’t be seen,” he said.
He said the truth would eventually be out and reiterated that the case is not about him and it would be unfortunate if his political nemesis wanted to ride on it.
“Let it be known that I have brought myself to the DCI. I didn’t want this to be a charade that’s why I never called anyone, I have nothing to hide,” he stated.
Four suspects have already been charged at the Shanzu Law Courts before Senior Resident Magistrate Robert Mbogo. The accused persons Abdul Athman, Haji Babu, Esther Muthoni and Violet Adera denied all the charges against them.
The four were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and abduction with intent to confine. At the same time, Abdul Hassan and Haji Babu had additional charges of gang rape and assault to cause actual bodily harm.
The blogger Bruce John was allegedly sexually abused on 12th September at an unknown place following a social media video that infuriated a top county official and supporters.
The four suspects are remanded at the Shimo La Tewa prison pending a ruling on their bail application on 14th October.
By Sadik Hassan
