Student in Viral Video Charged with Assaulting a Police Officer, Robbery with Violence

The 19-year-old university student suspected of being the assailant captured on camera assaulting a police officer has been charged with robbery with violence.

Ian Ngige Njoroge is also facing charges of causing grievous harm and resisting arrest.

He has denied three allegations: robbing Corporal Jacob Ogendo of a mobile phone valued at Sh50,000, stealing a police communication gadget battery, and resisting arrest.

The first-year student at the Technical University of Kenya denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi at the Milimani Law Courts.

The incident, which went viral on social media, took place on June 2, 2024, on Kamiti Road in Kasarani, Nairobi County.

The court heard that the accused committed the offense alongside others who have not yet been arrested and charged.

The court has heard that Ian Njoroge, accused of attacking a police officer on Kamiti Road and stealing a communication device, was subdued by police. Ian Njoroge, who faced Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi on Tuesday, was apprehended hours later after the fateful incidence in Kayole, Nairobi.

"The officer who is the complainant in this case manhandled the accused inside his," his lawyer Duncan Okatch told the court.

The defense team also informed the court that Njoroge was manhandled and collapsed twice at his parents' house when police officers descended on him.

At the police station, the lawyer stated that the officers beat him, and his clothes were stained with blood.

"The officers took photos. He is young and still innocent. Please grant him bail," Okatch told the court.

The court was informed that the officers confiscated his mobile phone and student ID.

"They should be returned. The police should not treat the accused as a dog," said Lempaa Soyinka, a defense lawyer.

"He was escorted in court by 21 police officers. We will be requesting documentary evidence and CCTV footage."

The student also faces charges under the Traffic Act for obstructing other motorists while driving a vehicle with registration number KDJ 207P.

The traffic charge alleges that the accused failed to yield to other road users by making a U-turn along Kamiti Road at Mirema Junction around 8 p.m. on June 2, 2024.

He is also accused of carrying excess passengers in the vehicle, having five passengers instead of the allowed four.

Additionally, Njoroge is accused of disobeying verbal police orders to drive the vehicle to Kasarani Police Station.

According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly pushed a uniformed police officer out of the vehicle near Quickmart Supermarket.

State Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki opposed the release of the accused on bond, stating that the police need time to present an affidavit explaining the reasons for denying bail.

"The accused herein was arrested on Monday and the investigating officer needs time to record statements from intended witnesses," said the prosecutor.

Defense lawyers Duncan Okatch, Suyianka Lempaa, and Ken Echesa opposed the prosecution's request to detain the accused for three days, arguing that his rights were violated by the police, who allegedly tortured him during his arrest at his mother's house.

"We are taken aback by the request to detain the accused for three more days to enable police come up with reasons for bail denial," said Okatch.

In his decision, the magistrate ordered that Njoroge be held in prison custody to ensure access to medication and protection.

He remarked on the presence of 21 police officers escorting the accused to court, suggesting it may have intimidated him.

"Let the rights of the accused be protected, let him be escorted to Kenyatta National Hospital to get urgent health attention," the magistrate directed.

He further instructed prison authorities to promptly follow through with his directives.

The accused will later appear in court for a hearing to determine whether he will be granted bail or not.

Subscribe to Follow our Open Forum Political Talk Show Here: Sound Candid Talk - Youtube