A Nigerian man accused of unlawfully obtaining a Kenyan national identity card and illegally residing in the country was arrested during a police raid in Nairobi.
According to police, he allegedly posed as a Kenyan from Rarieda, Siaya County.
The accused appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, where he denied the charges against him.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts.
He is charged with being unlawfully present in Kenya, contrary to Section 53(1)(j) as read with Section 53(2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, and obtaining registration by false pretences, contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code.
During the proceedings, the defence applied for favourable bond terms and sought the release of exhibits, including a motor vehicle and mobile phones seized during investigations.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the items had been properly inventoried and would be relied upon as exhibits during the trial.
The court directed that the case be mentioned on July 16, 2026, to allow for the preparation and consideration of a pre-bail report before determining whether the accused should be released on bond.
The case stems from investigations into the alleged fraudulent acquisition of a Kenyan national identity card by the Nigerian national. Investigations remain ongoing.
According to investigators, the suspect is a Nigerian citizen and a director of a company registered in Nigeria.
Detectives allege that he entered Kenya on November 12, 2022, on a tourist visa following the death of his father, claiming he intended to take time off to recover.
Investigators said immigration records indicate he entered the country on that date.
Police allege that after his visa expired, he remained in Kenya without lawful authority.
According to investigators, he later enlisted the services of an individual identified only as "Kevo," who allegedly arranged fraudulent immigration entry and exit stamps for between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000, despite the suspect never leaving Kenya after his arrival.
Investigators further allege that the suspect sought to obtain a Kenyan national identity card through another intermediary identified as "Max."
Police say he allegedly agreed to pay Sh60,000 for the document, which investigators claim was delivered several months later by a boda boda rider after the agreed amount was increased.
According to investigators, the identity card was allegedly used to open a bank account, obtain a driver's licence, register a Kenyan company, acquire a Nairobi County unified business permit, obtain a KRA PIN and register a Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle.
Police are also investigating allegations that the suspect may have been involved in an illegal money transfer network that allegedly facilitated the movement of funds between Kenya and foreign countries through cryptocurrency wallets.
According to investigators, the alleged arrangement may have been designed to conceal the origin of funds and evade detection in exchange for commissions. Investigators said they are examining whether the transactions may have links to other criminal activity.
Police said the enquiries form part of ongoing investigations and that no charges relating to money laundering, terrorism financing, narcotics trafficking or participation in organised criminal activity have been brought against the accused in the current case.
Investigators also said they are pursuing leads to establish whether any government officials may have been involved in the alleged irregular issuance of Kenyan identity documents.
In addition, the suspect's mobile phones will undergo forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police said the analysis is intended to establish whether the devices contain evidence relevant to the offences under investigation.
The matter is scheduled for mention on July 16, 2026, for consideration of a pre-bail report before the court determines whether the accused will be released on bond.
