Court told Ian Njoroge was manhandled and fainted twice during arrest

A 19-year-old student accused of assaulting a police officer on Kamiti Road and stealing a communication device was reportedly manhandled by police, the court heard.

Ian Njoroge, who appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi on Tuesday, was arrested hours later in Kayole, Nairobi.

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

Okatch further informed the court that the officers who arrested Njoroge at his mother’s house manhandled him, causing him to faint twice.

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

“The officers took photos. He is young and still innocent. Please grant him bail,” Okatch urged the court.

The court also heard that the officers confiscated Njoroge’s mobile phone and student ID.

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

“He was escorted to court by 21 police officers. We will be requesting documentary evidence and CCTV footage,” Soyinka added.