Deputy Mufti seeks Nigerian High Commission CCTV footage in $288,000 gold fraud case

The second deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, has asked the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala to preserve and facilitate access to CCTV footage relating to a disputed gold transaction at the centre of a $288,000 (about Shs1.2 billion) fraud case.

In a letter dated September 14, 2026, Bukenya asked the mission to preserve security recordings from August 6, when he says discussions and engagements concerning the transaction took place at the High Commission.

Bukenya is facing charges at Kampala City Hall Court alongside businessman Muzamiru Elias Lubega. The prosecution alleges that the two, together with other suspects who have not been arrested, obtained $288,000 from Muhammad Kwaido in Kampala on August 6, 2026, under the pretext of selling him three kilogrammes of gold.

They face charges of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, contrary to sections 285 and 363 of the Penal Code Act, respectively.

Bukenya says the CCTV footage could provide an objective account of the events and help establish the facts before the relevant authorities.

He said the transaction involved discussions and arrangements at the High Commission, with the mission’s First Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi, and Dr Sadiq Adam participating in relevant stages of the engagement.

According to Bukenya, these included the gold-testing process and a subsequent engagement at the High Commission at about 5pm on August 6.

He also requested an urgent meeting with the Nigerian ambassador to present his account of the matter and seek guidance. The letter indicated that he intended to attend the meeting with three other people.

By the time of publication, our reporter had not established whether the High Commission had responded to the request.

Gold-testing report

A laboratory report issued by Nuran-Ventures Limited on August 6 indicates that three gold bars weighing a total of three kilogrammes were submitted for testing by Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi.

The report gave an average gold content of 99.36 per cent, equivalent to 24 karats.

However, the laboratory noted that its findings applied only to the samples it received and did not necessarily apply to other material from the same source. The report alone does not establish whether the tested gold was the subject of the disputed transaction or resolve the allegations before court.

Case adjourned

On Wednesday, senior grade one magistrate Edgar Karakire issued criminal summons requiring Bukenya to appear in court after the prosecution sought to compel his attendance.

The case was adjourned to November 25, 2026, for mention. State prosecutor Miriam Akite told the court that the prosecution had been unable to provide the defence with the requested disclosures because the file had been called by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a complaint by Bukenya.

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