Two in Court for Possession of Dozens of National ID Cards and Hundreds of SIM Cards
Two men allegedly found with hundreds of Airtel SIM cards and dozens of National identity cards believed to be stolen have been charged with possession of suspected stolen property.
Samuel Mutiso and Peter Mutua are accused of having the items suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained property contrary to section 323 of the Penal Code.
The two were arrested on August 4 at Zimmerman estate within Kasarani Sub County, in Nairobi.
Mutiso is accused of having in possession of 37 national IDs of members of the public and 224 telephone services provider Airtel SIM cards which were reasonably suspected to be stolen or illegally obtained property. He was allegedly found with the items at his house at the time of his arrest.
Mutua was allegedly found with 52 IDs and 128 Airtel SIM cards which were reasonably suspected to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
He was arrested with the items in Zimmerman area of Kasarani Sub County after Mutiso mentioned him to police.
Police officers had gone to Mutiso’s house to arrest him after he was reported for fraudulently obtaining money by false pretenses.
After interrogation, police conducted a search at his house and allegedly recovered the items and he revealed Muli’s involvement in similar activities. He led the cops to Mutua’s house who was also arrested.
The two have disputed the charges but are not denying the possession of the IDs and SIM cards.
They have maintained that they work for a licensed dealer involved in registration of the SIM cards and told Senior Resident Magistrate Stephany Bett that they are working for a contracted registration agent, which means they dispute the charges against them.
They reminded the court that police did not bother to contact their employer during the investigations.
The suspects told Senior Resident magistrate Stephanie Bett that they are involved in registration of new subscribers and licensed for the same and claimed they were using the items for their work.
The fraud case where Mwangangi was reported is still under investigations and cops are also investigating whether any crimes have been committed using SIM Cards registered with any of the IDs that the suspects were allegedly found with.
Mutiso and Mutua had been arrested alongside a woman married to another suspect at large.
The two were released on a bond of Sh200, 000 and an alternative cash bail of Sh100, 000. The case will be mentioned on October 10 for a pretrial.
