IPOA official summoned to court over alleged extortion using OCS Taalam's phone
The defense, led by lawyer Danstan Omari, alleged that the phone belonging to Chief Inspector Talaam, currently in IPOA custody, has been used inappropriately to solicit money from members of the public.
A Senior Assistant Director of Investigations at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Abdirahman Jibril, has been summoned to appear in court on Friday to shed light on allegations of misconduct relating to the extortion of money using a mobile phone belonging to OCS Samson Talaam.
Talaam is under investigation over the murder of Albert Ojwang and has been remanded for 15 days.
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Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi issued the order during a court session following concerns raised by defence lawyers representing Talaam OCS at Central Police Station, Nairobi.
The defense, led by lawyer Danstan Omari, alleged that the phone belonging to Chief Inspector Talaam, currently in IPOA custody, has been used inappropriately to solicit money from members of the public.
"Your Honour, we have evidence that individuals, including respected lawyer Cliff Ombeta, have received messages from Talaam's number requesting money. Ombeta was asked for Sh80,000 by the unidentified caller using the OCS 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.
Court summons IPOA to explain how OCS Samson Talaam’s phone, while in their custody, was allegedly used to extort money from the public. pic.twitter.com/fn1yvkfLbk
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 19, 2025
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 the said Jibril 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.
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