More than a week since Tecra´s burial, the Lamu Court has finally set free her boyfriend, Omar Lali.
Wednesday, May 27th, the court declined to extend the detention of the roughly 50-year old Lamu native who had been implicated in the case regarding the billionaire heiress´ death, even though no evidence had been provided against him.
A decision the court arrived at amidst ongoing police investigations into the controversial fatal fall of Tecra Karanja.
Why?
Yesterday marked exactly 21 days of Omar Lali behind bars, having been arrested on Tuesday, May 5th, in what police termed ´comprehensive investigations´ that did not need interference, therefore holding him back at Lamu police station.
Also read: Cause of Tecra’s death revealed (Autopsy)
But till date, no evidence has been provided against the family man, therefore setting him free.
However, Tecra´s lawyers wanted the court to extend his detention but it found no reason to detain him further.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Omar Lali needed to go with them to the crime scene as well as to the Jaha House in Shella where the late Tecra sustained severe head injuries.
This would have been the fourth visit by the detectives to the scene of crime before Principal magistrate, Allan Temba turned down the request.
Omar´s case was set for mentioning on Tuesday, May 26th for the court to issue further directions. A court session held through video link.
Mr Temba stated that the detectives had been at the crime scene thrice and no evidence had since been unveiled.
Plus, Omar Lali´s 21 days pre-trial detention expired yesterday, Tuesday, 26th May.
Thirdly, according to the court, the pending phone extraction was not quite a process that needed Mr Lali to remain in custody.
Tecra´s samples had been already taken with pending toxicology analysis still ongoing but independent of the key suspect – Omar lali.
Lali has no capacity to interfere with witnesses as he actually doesn´t know who they are. The court will therefore fix the bond terms on Wednesday at 2:30pm once Lali proves by documents his fixed abode.
Not to forget that the aging man had strong community ties and also had a family of his own.
Mr Lali is however set to be let free at around 2pm today.
Omar´s kin
This comes barely a day after Omar´s younger brother, Quswai Lali Omar took to Twitter to demand for his release.
Also read: Omar Lali’s secret family unmasked (Photos)
Omar Lali stood as an inspiration and role model in the Lali family who could not understand why exactly their elder brother was being held up.
Sadly having to spend the Eid Mubarak festivities behind bars.
Release my brother Omar!! A good caring dad and our mentor!! He has been always good to us including the late Tecra Muigai. May Almighty protect you and come back home safe!!
Vouching for his release was Omar´s buddy, Mohamed Bin Shaib who works as a freelance journalist, also tweeting:
Although you are behind the bars, we still wish you a happy Eid Mubarak! Be strong and keep smiling!!! The President of Love!!!
The cry of the two and the masses has finally been heard and Omar is now free to return home.