Dar court told of how ‘Mtoto wa Ng’ombe’ forged papers

FAUSTINE KAPAMA

A PROMINENT businessman, Ndama Hussein (44), popularly known in the social buzz as Mtoto wa Ng’ombe, appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday charged with forging several documents, including a certificate of clearance from the United Nations for exportation of minerals worth over 16bn/-.

Hussein was also charged with obtaining money by false pretences and money laundering. He denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Victoria Nongwa and was remanded in custody until December 13 when the case will be mentioned, as investigations are incomplete.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Christopher Msigwa, assisted by State Attorney Leonard Challo, told the court that on February 20, 2014 in the city, with intent to defraud, the accused person made a false export permit for minerals and samples of minerals.

He allegedly purported to show that a company called Muru Platinum Tanzania Investment Company Limited was permitted to export four boxes of gold nuggets weighing 207kg valued at 8,280,000 US dollars to a company based in Australia known as Trade TJL DTYL Limited, while it was untrue.

It is alleged that on March 6, 2014, in the city, Hussein forged a certificate of clearance from the UN Dar es Salaam Office purporting to show that 207kg of the minerals from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) intended to be exported by Muru company to Trade TJL Limited having being cleared of criminality.

On February 20, 2014, the accused person allegedly made a customs declaration form purporting that Muru Company has paid 331,200 US dollars as importation tax to Tanzania Revenue Authority for the said minerals at 8,280,000 US dollars imported from DRC, while it was false.

The prosecution told the court further that on the same day in the city, Hussein forged insurance cover from Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance Company Limited, showing Muru Company had insured the four boxes containing the minerals.

Between February 26 and March 3, 2014, in Dar es Salaam, with intent to defraud, the businessman allegedly obtained from Trade TJL Limited 540,390 US dollars by falsely pretending that he would supply and export the 207kg of the said minerals valued at 8,280,000 US dollars.

The prosecution alleged further that within the same period, Hussein directly engaged himself in a transaction involving money, the sum of 540,390 US dollars, which were proceeds of predicate offence of obtaining money by false pretences.

According to the prosecution, the accused person is alleged to have directed the money to be credited in a bank account held at Stanbic Bank in the name of Muru Platinum Tanzania Investment Company Limited and subsequently withdrawing the sum in cash.