DPP opposes release of 74-year-old man wanted for hacking, wire fraud in the US

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has opposed the release on bail of a 74-year-old Kenyan man wanted in the United States to face multiple cybercrime-related charges.

According to prosecutors, Godfrey Mbogori is sought by authorities in the United States following an arrest warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on November 15, 2023.

“Mbogori is wanted in the United States of America to face charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.); conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.); and aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting in violation of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section,” said the ODPP in a statement.

Court documents indicate that Mbogori was arrested on February 19, 2026 in Meru by officers drawn from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force following the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice.

The court further heard that Kenyan authorities received a formal extradition request from the United States on February 26, 2026.

The prosecution instead urged the court to deny the suspect bail as extradition proceedings continue.

The ODPP argued that the seriousness of the offences and the risk of the suspect absconding justified continued detention.

The court further heard that Kenya has international obligations to cooperate in combating transnational crime, warning that releasing a suspect who is the subject of an active international arrest request could compromise the integrity of the extradition process and undermine the country’s obligations under international law.

The court is expected to determine whether the suspect will remain in custody as extradition proceedings continue.