IN a ruling on Wednesday, a Kenyan court has issued a deportation order for British terrorist Jermaine John Grant to be sent back to the UK after serving his prison term. Grant’s arrest dates back to 2011 when he was apprehended for possession of bomb-making materials, leading to his subsequent conviction and imprisonment in 2015. Since then, he has been serving a nine-year sentence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) stated in a release, ‘The High Court in Mombasa has allowed the prosecution’s application to have jailed British terrorist Jermaine John Grant deported upon completion of his sentence.’ The verdict, delivered by Justice Anne Ong’injo, mandates Grant’s repatriation to his country of origin in line with the provisions of the Citizenship and Immigration Act.
The request for deportation was formally made by Public Prosecutors, with Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Jami Yamina leading the effort and Prosecution Counsel Ngiri Wangui providing support. The court accepted the plea for Grant’s repatriation after he completes his nine-year prison term.
Hailing from the UK, Jermaine John Grant was apprehended by Kenyan authorities in a dramatic fashion, disguising himself as a Muslim woman wearing a Burka while attempting to cross into Somalia. The arrest followed the discovery of explosives at Grant’s residence in 2011, revealing his sinister intentions to target locations in the coastal town of Mombasa.
Investigators have linked Jermaine John Grant to Samantha Lewthwaite, also known as the White Widow, who is suspected of masterminding the devastating 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi. The tragic attack claimed the lives of 67 innocent individuals and sent shockwaves through the nation.
Following the court’s deportation order, Jermaine John Grant’s release will be followed by his transfer to UK authorities, who will take charge of his subsequent custody and monitoring. However, the exact date of his release is yet to be determined, while his connection to the notorious Westgate attack looms large over the decision for his return to the UK.