Form Three student jailed for 12 years over terror-related crimes

Wendo Idi Zuberi, who was convicted on terror-related charges, at Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa yesterday. [Photo:Omondi Onyango/Standard]

A Form Three student was yesterday sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on three terrorism counts. The charges include being in possession of two grenades and audio cassettes produced by slain radical Islamist Sheikh Aboud Rogo Mohamed.

Wedo Idi Zuberi, who faced five accounts related to terrorism, was arrested on January 12, 2013, at Mwembe Tayari with two hand grenades and admitted to the authorities that he was a member of the Al Shabaab, according to police.

He was acquitted of two other charges; belonging to Al Shabaab and plotting to commit a felony.

Court documents have not indicated the school in which the convict was enrolled.

Zuberi was sentenced to serve eight years on conviction of the charge of resisting arrest and injuring a policeman, a year for owning an explosive and three years for being found with the incendiary cassettes prepared by the late Rogo.

While passing the sentence at Shanzu Law Courts, Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo said the sentences would run concurrently.

Two grenades

“The prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that indeed they trailed the accused for ten hours and when they arrested him he had two grenade explosives with him,” said Odenyo.

He said the accused was in possession of explosives at a time when many people in the country were being killed by grenades thrown by unknown persons.

The magistrate said the accused failed to explain why he was handling the explosives without a licence, hence proving he had intentions of committing a felony.

However, the magistrate said he could not convict the accused of belonging to a terrorist group because there was not enough evidence to prove he was indeed a member of such a group.

Zuberi, who was mumbling to himself throughout the court session, could not hide his anxiety as he listened keenly to the judgement.

General Service Unit and prison officers stood guard in and out of the court during the sentencing.

Defence lawyer Chacha Mwita had asked the court to pass a lenient sentence because the accused had been in custody since 2013. He also said prison authorities had failed to provide for Zuberi’s education.