- OCS Samson Talaam’s phone, now with IPOA, allegedly used to demand KSh 80,000.
- Defence team says IPOA must explain how a secured exhibit was misused.
- Prosecutor says the phone is switched off and stored safely, but urges a formal complaint.
- The court orders the investigating officer to appear and clarify the bribery claims.
A Nairobi court session on Tuesday took an unexpected twist after it emerged that a mobile phone belonging to Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam might have been used to demand a bribe. The device is currently in the custody of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), kept as a key exhibit in an ongoing case.
Talaam’s legal team told the court that the phone—officially handed over to IPOA on June 16—was recently linked to a request for KSh 80,000 from an individual named Cliff Ombeta.
The defence lawyers were clear in their message. They questioned how an item held as evidence, under IPOA’s watch, could be used in an alleged extortion attempt. According to them, IPOA must explain how the phone, including its access credentials, ended up involved in the scandal.
“The phone, along with its access credentials, is in IPOA’s custody,” the defence stated. “We are requesting that the IPOA Commissioner be summoned to explain how a secured exhibit could be used to extort money.
State Prosecutor Victor Awiti admitted that the matter couldn’t just be brushed aside. He confirmed that all exhibits were supposed to be under tight security and noted that, according to the investigating officer, the phone was switched off and still under proper storage.
Still, Awiti encouraged the defence to file a formal complaint so that the issue can be looked into more seriously and officially.
Court Demands Full Explanation from Officer
Following the claims, the court gave fresh directions. It ordered the investigating officer handling the case to appear in court on Friday. The officer is expected to give a clear and full report on how the phone was allegedly misused while in IPOA’s hands.
The next session now holds weight as both the defence and prosecution look to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the KSh 80,000 bribe claims.
