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Police were yesterday ruing the law after a Nigerian suspected to have defrauded a foreigner Sh18 million in a fake gold scam was released on a Sh100,000 cash bail pending investigations.

This is after the court turned down an application by police to detain the suspect for seven days to verify his documents, hunt down some of his associates and get other fraudulent activities he may have been involved in.

Suspect, Yusuf Daniel Masara alias Dr Ibrahim Sacko, is said to have obtained Sh17.6 million on diverse dates between October 7, 2020 and January 1, 2021 from an American national, Elrais Ahmed Mohamed purporting to assist him buy 50 kilogrammes of gold.

Milimani Law Courts Senior Resident Magistrate Jane Kamau ordered Masara to be released on bail after she declined to allow police to continue detaining him for seven days.

“I have considered the submissions by the State and suspect and find that the suspect’s  role in the investigations is minimal.

I, therefore decline to allow police application and order the suspect released on Sh100,000 with one contact person on condition he reports daily at DCIO Kilimani Police Station pending probe,” ruled Kamau.

Court also ordered the suspect’s travelling documents be held by the investigating officer until all investigations are complete.

Bank account

“That Masara was arrested following a report made vide Kilimani Police Station OB Number 59/26/01/2021  the suspect, a Nigerian with others not before the court fraudulently obtained Sh17.6 million from one Elrais Ahmed Mohamed, an American national purporting to assist him venture into the business of buying and selling gold minerals across international borders,” says Constable Stephen Kibei in his affidavit filed in court.

Masara is said to have duped the complainant into transferring the Sh17.6 million from his bank account to another one he provided.

Court heard that police are investigating the suspect over the offence of obtaining money by false pretences, uttering false documents and other fraudulent offences.