A Canadian national accused of obtaining Shs5.5 billion in a fraudulent gold deal has asked court for bail, with his lawyer saying his continued detention is worsening his health and could frustrate efforts to pursue reconciliation with the complainant.
Michel Faille, 64, a Canadian consultant, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa on Wednesday as the prosecution indicated it was ready to proceed with hearing of the case.
However, State Attorney Grace Amy told court that she had been informed by counsel on state brief that Faille wanted to pursue a plea bargain.
‘The matter is fixed for hearing, but I have been informed by the counsel on state brief that the accused wants a plea bargain. We seek for an adjournment to peruse this,’ Ms Amy said.
Defence lawyer Calvin Namara, however, told court that the defence wanted to pursue reconciliation and sought a short adjournment to allow him to apply for bail for his client.
Mr Namara said Faille was suffering from prostate cancer and arthritis, arguing that his continued detention and further remand were taking a toll on his health.
‘We need a short adjournment to enable us apply for bail for our client if reconciliation is to be considered,’ Mr Namara told court.
The request prompted the magistrate to ask the complainant Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur whether any reconciliation efforts had already begun.
The complainant told court that he had personally gone to prison to see Faille, but the accused had declined to reconcile.
‘No. I went to prison to see that man, but he said he was not interested in reconciliation. Let the matter go on,’ the complainant said.
The State also questioned the basis of the proposed reconciliation, saying the defence appeared to be seeking bail first and intending to begin talks afterwards.
‘They want bail and get out to start reconciliation process,’ Ms Amy told court.
The magistrate asked whether any talks had already started.
The complainant responded: ‘No talks.’
With no reconciliation process underway, the State told court that it was ready to disclose its evidence and have the case fixed for trial.
Chief Magistrate Kidasa then asked Faille whether he was also willing to pursue reconciliation.
The accused appeared uncertain about the process.
‘I don’t know what reconciliation is,’ Faille told court.
His lawyer explained that he had only received instructions from the accused the previous day and needed more time to consult him.
‘We received instructions yesterday, and we need a day to talk to him,’ Mr Namara said.
The magistrate consequently adjourned the matter to August 20 for hearing and consideration of the bail application.
Faille is facing charges arising from an alleged gold transaction in which prosecutors accuse him and others still at large of obtaining $1.5 million (about Shs5.56 billion) from Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur between July and October 2025.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly falsely claimed they would facilitate the shipment of 16 tonnes of gold to Dubai, but the transaction never materialised.
Faille is also accused of illegally dealing in minerals after allegedly being found in possession of 740 kilograms of suspected gold nuggets in Kololo, Kampala, without a valid mineral dealer’s licence, contrary to the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022.
Faille, who has been residing at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya, denies the charges.