A Mombasa Law Court has dismissed an application by the defence to ban foreign journalists from covering proceedings in a case against sons of a slain drug baron Ibrahim Akasha and two foreigners.
Lawyers representing Akasha's sons and the two foreigners, made an application wanting the court to ban three journalist suspected to be working with an international media house from covering the proceedings.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Julias Nang’ea ordered the two white men and an African man to switch off their cameras until the application was heard and determined by the court.
Lawyer Cliff Ombeta representing the Akasha's sons argued that allowing foreigners to cover court proceedings will interfere with the dignity of the accused persons and their families.
The lawyers asked the court to order the three journalists to surrender their passports and work permit before covering the proceedings.
“Your honour we want to know who these three people are and why they are only interested in this case,” said lawyer Ombeta.
State Counsel Mr Alexandar Muteti however opposed the application to have the three banned, saying the move will deny the journalists their right to access information.
Counsel Muteti further argued that extradition proceedings was an international matter that should be covered by international media.
“Your honour it is not the duty of the court to check passports or verify accredited journalists. Let the defense raise its complains with the immigration office and Media Council of Kenya,” said Muteti.
Magistrate Nang’ea in his ruling dismissed the case saying it was not the duty of the court to check passports from foreigners and asked the defense to raise complains with the immigration office, adding that the application was pre-mature.
Mr Baktash Akasha Abdalla and his brother Mr Ibrahim Akasha Abdalla were charged with being involved in the trafficking of 98 heroine packets in 2014 in a house in Nairobi.
They were charged alongside two other suspects, Mr Gulam Hussein and Mr Vijaygiri Anandgiri Goswani.