Trader cleared of charges of financing terrorism

A businessman suspected to be a financier of terrorism activities has been cleared of the charges and allowed to travel in and out of the country.

Justice Jessie Lesiit cleared and discharged Abdul Mohamed Ali of the allegations of fraud and terrorism financing after it was established that the trader was fixed by his business rivals to bring him down.

“The case is marked as closed. His passports and all travel documents shall be released to him forthwith and any red flag issued on his travels are hereby lifted,” Lesiit ruled.

Ali’s competitors reported to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) that he was financing terror activities and had fled the country to hide.

At the time the report was made in June, the businessman - who is the CEO of Maalin Group of Companies - was out of the country. The police issued a red alert that he be arrested as soon as he jetted back.

His business rivals also lied to the police that he had escaped with millions of shillings belonging to his clients, but investigators told the court they had not received any official complaint.

“Investigations have been completed and we do not have any evidence to prefer charges of offering financial support to a terrorist group against him,” ATPU told the court.

In his statement to ATPU, Ali said he had travelled to attend to his business ventures when he heard reports that one of his rivals had told the police that he was engaged in financing terrorism and had fled the country.

The police had acted on the information and obtained orders barring him from returning on June 30. He challenged the order and was allowed back on September 30. He then surrendered to the ATPU where he recorded his statement and was released on bail pending investigations.