Kampala, (UG):- Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded Abdul Aziz Yousif Mohammed Adam also known as Aziz to Luzira Prison on charges of defrauding over Shs 2.3 billion in a bogus gold deal.
Aziz was on Tuesday arraigned before the court presided over by senior principal magistrate grade one Jalia Basajjabalaba read to him one count of obtaining money by false pretence.
Court heard that Aziz and others still at large between September and October 2024 within the areas of Kampala in Kampala district with intent to defraud, obtained $650,000 (about Shs 2.3 billion) from Osman Hassan by falsely pretending that they were selling to him gold whereas not.
The records indicate that in September, Abdel Azim Hussien Mohamad Hosman, an investor contacted his relative Osman, a resident of Dubai where he has a gold business, to buy 20 kilograms of gold from Uganda on his behalf and send it to Dubai.
It is further alleged that Osman contacted Aziz, a gold broker who had 785kgs of pure gold ready for shipment in his possession and being kept with a company, Exxaro Minerals International Limited in Lubowa.
“On September 26, 2024, Osman Hassan met Mohamed Awadalla Mohamed Osman in Ntinda at Hillside Plaza Hotel in Ntinda and he confirmed the existence of 785 kilograms of pure gold,” reads the court documents.
The documents further add that Osman presented a safekeeping receipt dated March 2, 2023, from Exxaro Minerals International Limited indicating that he had deposited the said gold with them. As a result, on September 27, 2024, the duo went to Exxaro Minerals International Limited where they met the manager a one Lyman, who also confirmed that they had kept the gold in their possession.
The documents further indicate that Lyman told Osman that the gold needed to go for the smelting process and that each kg of the 785kgs of gold would cost $100 (about Shs 360,000). Upon leaving the office, Osman reportedly paid $18,000 (appx. Shs 66 million) for accommodation at Slide Plaza Hotel for Awadalla as partial payment for the gold purchase.
Additionally, records show that he paid $5,000 (about Shs 18.5 million) in cash as a partial payment for the gold in the presence of Yousif and handed over $82,000 (appx. Shs 303 million) to Lyman for 785kgs of gold.
Six bags containing the purported gold were delivered to the office of Exxaro Minerals International Limited, accompanied by security personnel. Upon inspection, the complainant believed the gold to be genuine. Lyman reportedly informed the complainant that the smelted gold would be stored at customs.
On September 30, Lyman informed Osman that they were arranging documents to export 20kgs of the purported gold and requested $144,000 (about Shs 533 million) to pay taxes and exporting fees. Awadala Aziz and the company lawyer also received $48,000 (Shs 177 million) as brokerage fees.
It is further alleged that, on October 3, the complainant, accompanied by his son, met with Lyman at the VIP Lounge, Entebbe, at 9 pm. Lyman showed them 20kgs of the purported gold, along with documents including a certificate of origin, export permission, ownership certificate, and commission documents, while seeking the balance of $44,000 (about Shs 162 million).
However, on September 8, 2024, Abdel failed to travel as Lyman had failed to provide the bill of lading. Abdel eventually left for Dubai without the documents and has never received the gold to date. State attorney Shiphrah Nidoi told the court that investigations in this matter are incomplete and she sought an adjournment.
However, Aziz has denied the charges against him and was remanded to Luzira until November 28 after failing to present sureties.
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