Foreigners in Sh110b fake cash case denied bail

Two foreigners accused of possessing Sh110 billion in fake cash will now face trial while in custody after the court denied them bail.

Mohammed Sani alias Dr Mustafa and Ousman Ibrahim Bako's application for bail was denied yesterday after the court heard that the accused are foreigners thus a flight risk.

The prosecution also opposed bail on the grounds that the offence is of serious nature.

Ousman Ibrahim Bako (left) and Mohammed Sani alias Dr Mustafa (right) at the Milimani Law Courts where they denied Bail or bond.Milimani Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo said the offence was serious under the economic act.The two were charged last Friday for being in possession of 6,931,000 papers that resemble and pass as US dollar currency,739,200 that intended to pass as Euro currency notes and scanners bottles of iodine for producing figure and marks peculiar to and used in making US dollars and Euro currency notes. (PHOTO: FIDELIS KABUNYI/ STANDARD)

While delivering the ruling on bail, Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo said he has considered the magnitude of the case and when fake money enters into circulation it may create a problem to the economy.

"I direct the two to remain in custody during the trial because they are a flight risk and a threat to the security," said Ogembo.

The two were charged last week with allegedly possessing forgery papers on January 14 and 15 at Diamond Park II Estate within Nairobi County.

The court heard they had 6,931,000 pieces of paper intended to resemble and pass as US dollar currency notes.

They were also charged with another count of possessing 739,200 papers intended to resemble the Euro currency notes on similar dates.

They were accused that on similar dates and in similar places they possessed two scanners, two bottles of Iodine for producing figures and marks peculiar to those used in making US dollars and Euro currency notes.

Through their lawyer, Kethi Kilonzo, the accused applied for favourable bond terms claiming that they are not a flight risk. "Mohammed Sani is a foreigner but not a flight risk because he has a fixed abode. All the accused are not a flight risk," said Kethi.

She added that one of the accused has children in Kenya and has had a work permit for four years.

The lawyer added that they have not been supplied with statements of the evidence that the prosecution intends to use during trial.