The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured the conviction of a Mandera police officer for grievous harm and assault.
Abdihakim Abdi Saman was found guilty after prosecutors presented 12 witnesses, with the court ruling the case was proved “beyond a reasonable doubt,” as sentencing is set for February 26, 2026.
The statement released on Wednesday says, according to the prosecution, the offences occurred on May 11, 2024, at Mandera Police Station.
The court heard that the accused unlawfully inflicted grievous harm on Dahaba Noor Hillow. He was also found to have assaulted Ali Abdirahman Maalim during the same incident.
The matter was investigated by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), leading to the officer’s arraignment before the court.
Prosecution was led by Patrick Namiti, Lee Kadenyo, and Kasyoka. The prosecution team presented 12 witnesses during the trial. The court was told that the testimonies firmly placed the accused at the scene.
The defence, which called six witnesses, sought to challenge the prosecution’s account. However, the court found that the defence had failed to dislodge the prosecution’s evidence.
In his judgment delivered on February 20, 2026, Omondi ruled that the prosecution had proved its case “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The court dismissed the accused’s alibi defence as “unsubstantiated.”
The conviction marks a significant development in the case, which has drawn attention to accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The involvement of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority reaffirmed the oversight mechanisms available in cases involving alleged police misconduct.
Court proceedings detailed how the prosecution relied on witness testimony to reconstruct events at the police station on the day of the incident.
The 12 prosecution witnesses provided accounts that, according to the judgment, consistently placed the accused at the centre of the assault.
The defence mounted its case through six witnesses and an alibi argument. However, the court found the evidence insufficient to counter the prosecution’s claims.
The Mandera Magistrates Court concluded that the elements required to prove the offence of grievous harm had been satisfied under Section 234 of the Penal Code. The second count of assault was also upheld.
Sentencing has been scheduled for February 26, 2026.
The case highlights the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions in pursuing criminal accountability, including cases involving state officers.
It also reflects the investigative mandate of IPOA in handling complaints against members of the police service.
With the conviction now secured, attention will turn to sentencing, where the court is expected to determine the appropriate penalty under the law.
The outcome represents a significant judicial decision in Mandera County, affirming the court’s finding that the prosecution met the required legal threshold.
