Two foreigners found guilty of forging billions in foreign currencies have been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each.
Mohamed Sani alias Dr. Mustafa from Niger and Ousman Ibrahim Bako, Cameroonian were found guilty of the offences in May after Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled that the prosecution had proved their case beyond reasonable doubt.
After pleading not guilty to 9 counts of offences in January 2016, the accused persons were denied bail on grounds that the charges against them were serious and a threat to the Kenya’s economic security.
Further, Magistrate Andayi gave the accused additional six months sentence for being unlawfully present in Kenya (Bako) and engaging in employment without being authorized to do so by a pass or permit (Sani).
In mitigation, the accused persons requested the court to be lenient with them for they were remorseful and has families that depend on them.
Through lawyer Steve Kimathi who was on record for Bako, the court heard that for the last two and a half years his client has been in custody, he has looked back and regretted his mistakes.
“My client has even been teaching fellow prisoners French and the prison authorities can confirm this,” said Kimathi.
The court further heard that Biko has a three year old whom he has not seen for two and a half years and would like to see his father at home and through ‘a wire mesh’.
The two foreigners were arrested in Nairobi’s Kilimani and South B suburbs.
The magistrate further ordered that the fake currency and the machines and equipment in possession of the accused persons be destroyed by the authorities.
Money printing machines, money cutters, scanners, 5 safes, 2 computers, chemicals, masks and foil paper were among the things recovered from the houses of the two.
Former Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet had said that the arrest followed the receipt of an intelligence report indicating several people had been conned of more than Sh 40 million in exchange of foreign currency shipped from Syria.
He said CID officers carried out operations that led to the recovery of $693 million (Sh71 billion) and 369 million Euros (Sh41 billion).
He added that they have in the past received a complaint from the government of Comoros that certain foreign individuals staying in Kenya are manufacturing fake currencies and circulating it in the economy.
