A Milimani court has directed Safaricom to allow former Nairobi Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam to renew his mobile phone line after he complained that his SIM card could not be replaced without a court order.
Court Proceedings
Appearing before Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii, Taalam’s lawyer argued that the order was necessary to enable his client to regain control of his mobile number. The counsel told the court that Safaricom had allegedly declined to replace the SIM card without a directive from the court.
Magistrate Nyaguthii allowed the application and ordered Safaricom to facilitate the renewal of Taalam’s mobile line.
Allegations of Misuse
The directive came as Taalam continued his testimony in a case where he alleges that officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) misused his seized phone to solicit money from his relatives and associates while he was in custody.
Taalam testified that he was arrested on June 13, 2025, and two days later IPOA officers requested his mobile phone for investigation purposes. He said he surrendered the device willingly, together with the PINs to unlock it.
However, he later learned from relatives that unknown callers had demanded money ranging from Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.80,000, claiming the funds would secure his release on bail. Alarmed, Taalam lodged formal complaints, insisting that his phone was being used without his authority.
He identified two IPOA officers, Jibril and Njihia, as the individuals who took possession of his phone and a photocopy of his national identity card. He stressed that the device was handed over strictly for investigation purposes, not for any other use.
Case Background
The matter is linked to investigations into the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher-turned-blogger who died on June 8, 2025, while in custody at the Central Police Station. IPOA seized Taalam’s phone as part of their probe into the incident.
The case will be mentioned again on March 25, 2026, for further directions before the Milimani Law Courts.
