A man who tried to extort Lamu Senator Anwar Loitiptip of Sh200,000 has been sentenced to one year in jail or pay an alternative fine of Sh200,000. – By John Mutiso.
On February, Jones Ochieng Mbolo had released a video of the Senator smoking shisha in the company of a woman identified as Aeedah ‘Bambi’ Pesian Ahmed.
The court heard that Mbolo threatened to release the video of Loitiptip and the lady ‘Bambi’ smoking shisha on social media platforms, if they did not send him the money.
However, the senator did not fall for the blackmail and instead reported the matter to police, leading to his arrest on February 15 although he had already leaked the video on social media.
While sentencing him, Magistrate Martha Mutuku said that Mbolo was not remorseful for his actions.
“Having demonstrated to the probation officer that you are a man of means, l fine you sh 200,000 in default to serve one year in prison. Right if appeal within 14 days,” ordered Mutuku.
Mbolo pleaded guilty to the extortion charges and told the magistrate that he recorded the video on February 12, 2021, and thereafter sent it to the lawmaker in hopes that he would send him money in exchange for the video.
He also told the court that he was banking on the fact that smoking shisha is in contravention of the public health regulations.
“I released the shisha video to out Loitiptip for engaging in an illegal activity, yet, as a senator, he should be the custodian of the law,” Mbolo said.
In the case, Senator Loitiptip had been listed as one of the witnesses.
