Activist Halima Ngache, popularly known as “Princess Halima,” appeared before the court on Monday morning as investigators asked for more time to review electronic gadgets seized from her.
After hearing the parties’ submissions, the court ordered that the miscellaneous application be closed.
Ngache faces allegations that she operated an X account that published information about President William Ruto’s flight movements. Police arrested her on June 30 in Bamburi, Mombasa County, after linking her to an X account they said shared details about the movements of protected persons.
“Ms Ngache is under investigation for alleged cyber harassment contrary to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, following posts published on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, which investigators say revealed details of the President’s travel itinerary and the registration number of the aircraft he was using during an official trip to Europe,” the trial magistrate heard last week.
Detectives said the items seized included two mobile phones, a Tecno tablet, a Dell laptop, and three flash drives. They added that the devices would undergo forensic examination to determine whether they connect to the disputed posts.
On Monday, the investigating officers told the court that forensic examination of the seized gadgets was still ongoing and asked for more time to complete the investigations.
But the defense opposed the request, arguing that police confiscated the devices unlawfully and without a search warrant, in violation of required legal procedures.
The defense added that the issues before the High Court relate to how custodial orders were obtained. It said the case before the magistrate’s court, instead, concerns the seizure of the gadgets.
The prosecution countered that closing the miscellaneous application would hamper the investigations.
No charges have been preferred against Ngache.
The High Court had earlier on Friday ordered her unconditional release while granting police three days to conclude their investigations.
Princess Halima is now a free woman after the court closed the case against her.
