Varsity student in ivory case says he was framed by girlfriend’s rich dad – VIDEO
A second year student at Moi University accused of ivory trafficking on Tuesday broke down several times in court claiming that he has been framed by his girlfriend’s rich father.
Japheth Bakari was arrested on May 16 in possession of 8.5kg of ivory with a street value is Sh850,000.
But when he was arraigned in court, the suspect narrated how his girlfriend’s father, a “rich and well-known Kenyan tycoon”, has been against their relationship.
He further claimed that the girl’s father has not approved their romantic relationship because he is “too poor” to date his daughter.
“When I got into a relationship with his daughter, he warned me against dating her, saying I was from a poor background, and, therefore, there was no way I would be in a relationship with his daughter,” Bakari told the court.
He added that out of fear, he ended the relationship but his girlfriend pleaded with him not to leave her.
‘SACK OF MAIZE’
Bakari, alongside another suspect, Ibrahim Ali, were arrested at Mwembe Tayari in Mombasa with the ivory concealed in a sack of maize.
But the suspect, who is a Bachelor of Arts student, told the court that he believes that his girlfriend’s dad planted the eight pieces of ivory in the sack, because he is the one who gave him the sack of maize as a “gift”.
“Your Honour, police, who are witnesses in this case, know the owner of the 8.5kgs of ivory I was found with. The owner, I would say, is my girlfriend’s father,” said Bakari.
Bakari has been remanded at the Shimo La Tewa Remand Prison and he is expected back in court on September 30 for the mention of the case.