South Sudan’s N. Bahr el Ghazal arrest 2 over counterfeit U.S. currency

August 28, 2011 (AWEIL) – A Congolese national and a Nigerian have been
arrested and detained by Northern Bahr el Ghazal police authorities over allegations linking the duo to the manufacture of fake U.S. dollars.

Mwafor John Monday, a 35 year old from Nigeria, and Sele Jean Robert 46 from DR Congo, pleaded not guilty and requested the police notify their respective embassies about their detention.

Akot Deng Akot, the state police commissioner told journalists at a briefing in Aweil, the state capital, that the culprits were arrested on Thursday after a tip-off from local residents who alerted the police to their activities.

The police boss also displayed items such as cotton wool, unidentified chemicals, a plastic container and several dollar-sized papers, which the two allegedly used to make fake dollars.

“The state has now opened a criminal case against the two men. They can still involve their lawyers in the case,” Akot said, adding that, “if they are found to be innocent, then we shall release them.”

Ronald Ruay Deng, the state’s minister for finance, trade and industry strongly condemned the alleged crime, and appealed to the police to remain vigilant and inform police about any suspicious characters within their vicinity.

“We need to all be on the lookout for such criminal characters that may be targeting our state. Members of the public should closely work hand in hand with the police to restore order in the state,” the minister advised.

Ever since it introduced its new currency, South Sudan Pounds (SSP) nearly a month after attaining its independence, there are fears that South Sudan is being viewed as a soft target for fraudsters and con men.

On July 30 while speaking during the country’s martyr’s day celebrations in Juba, the South Sudan capital, President Salva Kiir Mayardit instructed the national army to crack down on criminals who violate the country’s laws.

(ST)