Mombasa Republican Council officials were yesterday freed after land titles presented by Makadara MP Mike Sonko were accepted in court. They were released from Shimo La Tewa prison. Initially the title deeds had been rejected.

Those released are chairman Omar Hamisi Mwamnuadzi, his wife Mwaimuna Hamisi Mwavyombo, the chairman's daughter and son.

The Star has confirmed that last week, the office of the Provincial CID office directed Kwale lands office to verify the title deeds.

A letter obtained by the Star, dated November 7 from the district lands registrar to the CID office over the Kwale, Ukunda, Kundutsi plots said the titles were genuine.

Another letter by the valuation officer gave the plots' estimated valuations, which was close to what Sonko had initially quoted. Yesterday, the High Court in Mombasa accepted title deeds for Kwale plots valued at Sh 3.5 million.

The lands are surety for Omar Omamnuadzi, his wife Mwaimuna Hamisi and Randu Nzai. They are accused of being members of an unregistered society, obstructing police from arresting them and also possessing illegal weapons.

State lawyer George Mureithi had earlier opposed Sonko's application to stand surety for the suspects, saying he had a pending case before another court.

"I have a letter dated 9th September 2012 from the office of the Provincial Criminal Investigation Office that the MP was charged with an assault case Airport Police case 11/95/2011," Mureithi said.