Lawyer Omari summoned in Matiang’i probe
Detectives yesterday summoned lawyer Danstan Omari over his remarks that police had raided the residence of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i home raid on February 8.
Omari has been ordered to appear before the head of Serious Crime Unit (SCU) Micheal Sang this morning.
In the summons the senior detective indicated that they were investigating allegations of publication of false information contrary to section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes, among other offences in regard to alleged invasion and raid of Matiang’i residence.
“I have reasons to believe that you, Danstan Omari, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, is connected to the offence or has information which can assist me in my investigations,” said Sang in the summons.
The lawyer was cautioned against failing to comply with the summons.
“Failure to comply with the requisition constitutes an offence liable to prosecution. Requisition constitutes an offence liable to prosecution,” read the letter.
Omari is the lead counsel representing Matiang’i in the alleged raid. He moved to court on behalf of his client and obtained orders stopping his arrest.
Seeking arrest
Matiang’i claims his home was raided, surrounded and cordoned off by police officers who were seeking to arrest him. The DCI filed an application seeking a court order to access CCTV footage of Matiang’i’s residence in Karen, Nairobi.
Through an application dated February 10, the investigative agency wanted the court to direct the manager of Amsec Security Services, which mans Matiangi’s home, to hand over security footage for the period between 6am February 8 and 11pm, February 9. The lawyer protested the move terming it politics.
He said had he be defending a UDA politician, there would be no trouble for him but because he is defending Azimio ones, police are harassing him.
“I took an oath to defend clients and that is my job as a lawyer. This country cannot be filled with fear and intimidation because of politics. We will stand firm,” he said. He added he was doing his job when he went to defend Matiangi over the raid. He said he has defended police against false accusations when everyone did not want to touch them.
“They were accused of murder and no one wanted to defend them. This country cannot be filled with fear that we will charge you. The courts are independent.”
“When there is change of regime they will still be arrested and the only constant factor is that lawyers will never refuse to represent a client because of politics. So I will be here tomorrow,” he said.
