A Meru court has granted a Sh10 million bond to a 73 year old man accused of being in possession of 29.5 kilograms of elephant tusks.
Francis Mugo Mutegi has been in remand since Wednesday after senior prosecutor Mugo filed an application opposing his request to be admitted to bail, arguing he was a flight risk.
Mutegi was arrested on Tuesday at Nkomo village in Tigania West.
In another case at the Nkubu court, Mutegi was freed on a Sh2 million bail after he denied being in possession of another two pieces of the tusks weighing 93 kilograms.
“The accused is facing similar charges at Nkubu court and he was released on bond, however, it seems he is misusing the bond terms, in that regard stiffer bond should be granted in this case considering the reasons that were advanced by the prosecution,” the prosecution argued.
“The court has found it is necessary to give stiffer bond terms also due to public interest,” Meru chief magistrate Evans Makori ruled.
In an affidavit presented by arresting officer Charles Mugambi, the officer says he was tipped off by members of the public that four people, who had two pieces of tusks, were looking for a buyer.
The officer says he posed as a buyer and met the accused person who took him where he had hidden the ivory.