Taalam's phone: Court grants DCI more time to conclude probe into extortion allegations
Defence lawyers allege that the phone belonging to Talaam, currently in IPOA custody, has been used inappropriately to solicit money from members of the public.
A Nairobi court has granted the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohammed Amin, more time until July 14 to complete an investigation into allegations that a mobile phone belonging to OCS Samson Talaam is being used to solicit funds from members of the public.
When the case came up for mention before Milimani principal magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi, the court was informed that the DCI needed more time to finalise the investigation before tabling the report in the court.
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On June 20, 2025, the Senior Assistant Director of Investigations at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Abdirahman Jibril, informed the court that they had written to the DCI requesting him to investigate the allegation that a mobile phone belonging to Talaam is being used to solicit funds from members of the public.
Earlier, the magistrate had issued summons for Abdirahman to appear in court over allegations of misconduct relating to the handling of a mobile phone belonging to Talaam, who has since been charged with the murder of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
The magistrate issued the order during a heated session following concerns raised by defence lawyers, Danstan Omari, Stanley Kangai and Cliff Ometa representing the OCS.
The defence lawyers alleged that the phone belonging to Talaam, currently in IPOA custody, had been used inappropriately to solicit money from members of the public.
"Your honour, we have credible evidence that individuals, including respected lawyer Ombeta, have received messages from Talaam's number requesting money.
"Ombeta was asked for Sh80,000 by an unidentified caller using the Taalam phone. The phone is being used for fundraising with claims that the OCS is in trouble and needs financial help," Omari told the court.
He added that the alleged fraudulent messages appear to be part of a wider scheme, noting that family members of the OCS have also reported receiving distressing messages from the same number, which is supposed to be securely stored by IPOA investigators.
"This is a serious issue. IPOA commissioners are the custodians of that phone and the corresponding passwords. If that phone is being used to swindle Kenyans while under IPOA's watch, then someone must be held accountable. We are asking this court to summon the commissioners themselves," Omari urged.
Magistrate Ekhubi responded by ordering Abdirahman to appear in person to provide an explanation regarding the phone's custody and the alleged breach.
The magistrate emphasised the seriousness of the claims, citing the need for transparency and accountability from oversight bodies.
"These are grave allegations. The integrity of constitutional offices must not be put into question. Jibril must appear before this court to explain how a phone in IPOA's custody could be used in such a manner," the magistrate ruled.
The defence lawyers further pointed out that they had previously not opposed IPOA's request to take custody of the phone, acknowledging the authority's constitutional mandate.
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