Economy

DPP recalls case on Bangla-Pesa informal currency

dncoastbanglapesa2905A

The informal currency Bangla-Pesa which residents of Bangladesh slum in Changamwe used, May 29, 2013. The Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has recalled a case in which an American scholar is charged over Bangla-Pesa informal payment system in Mombasa. Photo/LABAN WALLOGA

The Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko has recalled a case in which an American scholar is charged over Bangla-Pesa, an informal payment system in Mombasa.

Mombasa senior resident magistrate Irene Runguru heard that Mr Tobiko ordered that Mr William Ruddick’s case file be returned for perusal and further direction.

Mr Ruddick who is the proprietor of Koru-Kenya Community Organisation has denied being in possession of materials used in forgery. He is charged together with several Kenyans.

Prosecutor Samson Muuniko said the DPP also required some information from the Central Bank of Kenya before deciding whether to proceed with the case.

Exhibits in the case including a laptop allegedly recovered from the American don are with the Criminal Investigation Directorate headquarters in Nairobi.

The case was set for hearing on August 22, 2013. Last month the court declined to release Mr Ruddick's passport to enable him attend an international conference at The Hague, Netherlands.

The accused is an associate scholar, institute for leadership and sustainability at the University of Cambria in the US.