Fake Gold Scammer Joseph Waswa Ordered To Appear In Court In 1B Fraud

The main suspect in the Sh1 billon gold scam deal has been ordered to appear in court to answer charges of being in possession of fake currency

Joseph Lendrix Waswa, a self-styled businessman will appear in court on October 9 to plead to charges of possession of forged bank notes of US$634,178 (Sh93,668,090).

Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi ordered Waswa to appear in person before her next month to answer to the criminal charges after he skipped court.  Waswa whom police say is the mastermind of the recent fake gold scam scandal involving a Tunisia national was said to be indisposed

Waswa was expected to be charged after recording a statement at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters on Kiambu Road.

When his case was called for plea taking by the court clerk, Waswa’s lawyer June Ashioya informed the magistrate the accused was not present in court as he is unwell.

The lawyer pleaded with the court to defer the plea taking for two weeks.

“The DCI recorded his (Waswa) statement on Thursday, after recording the statement he became unwell and was taken to Nairobi Hospital where he was treated and given 3 days bedrest, this morning we again saw the doctor who had treated him and directed that he be given 14 days bedrest, in view of the circumstances we kindly urge the court to defer the charge for 14 days, we will be able to present himself on a date given by the court to take his plea,” Ashioya stated.

Forged currency

Consequently, Magistrate Shitubi ordered Waswa to present himself in person on October 9, to answer to the charge leveled against by the Director of Public prosecutions (DPP).

She further directed Waswa to remain on Sh200,000 anticipatory bail granted by the High court on September 19. According to a charged sheet filed in court, Waswa is accused that on September 7 at Villa Mawe in Garden Estate within Nairobi County, jointly with others not before court without lawful authority or excuse had in his possession US$634,178 forged currency notes of 100 denomination knowing them to be forged.

His prosecution comes days after 13 suspects, including a DCI officer Festo Akula Wamwayi were paraded earlier this month.