NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 6 – The disappearance of lawyer Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi has taken a new twist after two men who were allegedly in his company when he went missing were also reported missing.
The family of one of the men, identified as Ayub Mohamud Maalim, has reported him missing at Kilimani Police Station, raising fresh concerns over the circumstances surrounding the lawyer’s disappearance.
According to the family, Ayub, a resident of Mombasa, has been unreachable since the beginning of November, with his mobile phone switched off.
His sister, Fatuma Maalim, said the family was increasingly worried after unsuccessful attempts to establish his whereabouts.
“We are really worried. He is a son, a brother, a father, a husband. Yaani we are not aware of his whereabouts. His phone is off,” she said.
Ayub is believed to be among two men captured on CCTV footage fleeing from armed individuals who were allegedly trailing Abshir’s vehicle before it veered off the road and plunged into a drainage channel.
The lawyer was reportedly seen running in the opposite direction before attempting to climb over a gate, where he was allegedly seized by his pursuers.
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said there were fears that Ayub could have been abducted alongside Abshir.
“Suspicion is that he may have been kidnapped together with advocate Abshir. And this is a call to security agencies to ensure the return of Ayub Mahmoud Maalim. The family has searched everywhere. They have gone to police stations,” Khalid said.
The latest development comes amid continuing uncertainty over the identities and whereabouts of the people who were with Abshir when he disappeared.
During proceedings in a habeas corpus application at the High Court, investigating officer Dennis Mwenda told the court that investigators had not established the identities of two individuals who were reportedly in the lawyer’s vehicle.
“The white motor vehicle had three occupants. Those are the people seen running, being chased by some two individuals. I have not yet ascertained their identity,” Mwenda told the court.
The testimony has added another layer of uncertainty to investigations into the lawyer’s disappearance, particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding the reported pursuit and the events that followed.
Lawyers representing Abshir have urged the court to compel security agencies to produce him, arguing that submissions made by police officers have heightened concerns over his disappearance.
They have questioned allegations presented during the proceedings linking the lawyer to an alleged abduction and extortion syndicate, arguing that the claims raise concerns about whether he may have been targeted by individuals within the security establishment.
Abshir’s lawyer, Eric Theuri, told the court that the submissions had reinforced their concerns that his client may have been subjected to unlawful actions.
“They have, in fact, introduced material before you to confirm and ascertain the fears that we have had, that Abshir has been subjected to extra-constitutional measures,” Theuri said.
However, lawyer Paul Nyamodi, representing Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, maintained that Abshir was not being held in police custody.
“The subject of these proceedings is not in police custody,” Nyamodi told the court.
Justice Alexander Muteti is expected to deliver a ruling on the habeas corpus application on Tuesday, November 10, as the family and legal representatives continue seeking answers over the advocate’s whereabouts.
The proceedings are part of efforts to establish whether Abshir is being held by security agencies and compel those responsible to account for his disappearance.
The reported disappearance of Ayub now adds to concerns surrounding the case, with families seeking answers over the whereabouts of the missing men.
