Abdirahaman Abdi Takow who jailed for 30 years for being an Al Shabaab spy. (Photo/Nation.)A Somali national has been jailed for 30 years by a Mandera court for being a spy for the Al-Shabaab terror group.
The suspect, Abdirahaman Abdi Takow, aged 22 was arrested on September 14 when he sneaked into Mandera GK Prison to collect information for Al Shabaab.
A witness and warder at the prison Hussein Osman Mursal, told the court the accused entered the prison through an opening of a perimeter wall.
“I guard a watchtower when I saw the suspect entering the prison through an opening that construction workers were using while working on the perimeter wall,” said the witness said.
The court heard that the suspect was with another person waiting outside but fled when he realized Takow was has been arrested.
Takow defended himself saying he was a refugee and didn't associate with the militants.
Mandera Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Areri however, sentenced him for failing to deny evidence given in court.
“The accused has not denied evidence and he has not given any reason why he came all the way from Mogadishu and entered the prison camp,” said Areri.
The magistrate said the accused was surveying the camps for an intended terrorist attack.
“He was collecting information to help Al Shabaab conduct attacks. He is guilty and I sentence the accused to 30 years imprisonment,” ruled Areri.