Court Order on Replacement of SIM card
A Milimani court ordered Safaricom to avail replacement and reactivation of mobile phone line for former Nairobi Central OCS, Samson Taalam, after he complained that he could not access the said line without a court order. The directive followed an application in which Taalam argued that he had been denied access to his phone number despite efforts to renew the SIM card.
While appearing before Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii, Taalam’s counsel, Danstan Omari, informed the court that the telecommunication provider had insisted on a court order before proceeding with the SIM replacement. In his submission, he noted that the order was timely and was needed for purposes of restoring his client’s mobile number.
About Alleged Misuse of the Phone Line
Counsel told the court that Taalam’s line had allegedly been used after he lost it to investigators, hence he needed to secure his number for further unauthorized use. Magistrate Nyaguthii allowed the application, ordering Safaricom to facilitate the renewal of the mobile phone line.
This judgment was given while Taalam continued giving evidence in a case he claims has the officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), misusing his seized phone to solicit money from his relatives and associates while he was in custody.
Details of the Arrest and Phone Seizure
In his testimony in Taalam’s case, he said that he was arrested on the Friday of June 13, 2025, and keeping him in custody. He stated that, two days later, on Sunday, IPOA officers asked for his mobile phone for purposes of investigations. According to him, he voluntarily handed over the device and provided the PIN codes to unlock it.
He said the phone was surrendered on good faith, assuming that it was going to be used solely for official investigative purposes.
Claims of Fraudulent Bail Solicitation
Taalam gave further testimony, contending that after being brought to court on a miscellaneous application, a relative later called him with disturbing news. He was told that strange persons were calling family members and associates to claim money which would be used to bail him out.
According Taalam, the callers required him to pay a lot of different sums ranging between KSh 10,000 and KSh 80,000, claiming that in return, they would liberate him.
Formal Complaints and Identification of Officers
Disturbed by the reports, Taalam told the court that he had lodged formal complaints, insisting that it was his mobile phone that was being used without his consent or authority. He added that alongside the phone, his national identity card had also been confiscated.
He identified two IPOA officers, Jibril and Njihia, as being responsible for confiscation of his phone and personal documents. These allegations are still being considered in court with regard to both the handling and alleged misuse of Taalam’s seized mobile phone.
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