Eight suspects linked to a land fraud syndicate will know their fate on Monday after police asked the court for more time to complete investigations into the alleged forgery of land documents.
The suspects include two senior lands officials, a police officer, a hotelier and land brokers. They were detained over allegations of manufacturing and using fake land title documents.
DCI seeks more time for investigations
DCI officer Nicolous Osuri, attached to the Land Fraud Unit, appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki seeking an additional two weeks to complete investigations.
Osuri told the court that the 10 days previously granted by Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi were insufficient.
He said the investigation had expanded after detectives uncovered more suspected forgeries and identified additional witnesses.
According to Osuri, the investigations have taken a new turn following the discovery of suspected forged seals and stamps belonging to the Judiciary.
153 potential witnesses identified
The DCI officer told the court that investigators had identified 153 potential witnesses who may have fallen victim to the alleged land fraud syndicate.
The witnesses are reportedly from different counties and need to record statements as part of the ongoing investigations.
“Your honour, we have contacted 153 potential witnesses who need to record their statements. They came from different counties and more time will be required to finalize,” Osuri told the court.
Investigators also recovered documents bearing details of the alleged victims, which they said would assist them in tracing and recording further statements.
Police uncover suspected forged court seals
Osuri said investigators had recovered suspected forged seals and stamps from various courts.
The items allegedly include seals associated with magistrates’ courts, the Land Division and the High Court.
However, detectives had not yet completed the verification process to establish whether the seals and stamps were genuine.
The DCI officer also told the court that investigators were still waiting for digital forensic reports concerning electronic devices recovered during the operation.
The items submitted for forensic examination include one laptop, eight mobile phones, one monitor and three CPUs.
Government Printer examines land documents
The investigations also received a report from the Government Printer concerning recovered land and conveyance documents.
Osuri said some of the documents were genuine while others were suspected to be fake.
The detectives were referred to the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning for further authentication.
The police also claimed that intelligence indicated the suspects could face threats from aggrieved individuals, prompting investigators to seek continued detention for their protection.
Defence opposes further detention
The defence lawyers, led by Felix Keaton, strongly opposed the request for additional detention.
Keaton argued that the suspects had already spent two weeks in custody and that police had been given sufficient time to conduct investigations.
“Your honour, the respondents herein have been in custody for two weeks, the period given to the applicant to conduct investigations. It’s absurd the same officer pleading for more days,” Keaton submitted.
He argued that continued detention would infringe on the suspects’ rights.
Suspects linked to forged land documents
The prosecution alleges that the eight suspects were involved in forging documents from the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning.
The documents allegedly include letters of allotment, deed plans, certificates of title, certificates of lease, land transfer documents and indentures.
