In October 2013 Eastbourne-based Smith & Ouzman along with two of its directors, one employee and an agent attended a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on charges brought by the Serious Fraud Office.

The allegations relate to making payments totalling exactly £413,552.12, to influence the award of business contracts to the company.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between November 2006 and December 2010 and relate to transactions in Mauritania, Ghana, Somaliland and Kenya.

Yesterday (27 January) the company and four individuals entered not guilty pleas on all counts, at a plea and case management hearing at Southwark Crown Court, and were released on unconditional bail.

The four individuals include: former Smith & Ouzman chairman Chris Smith; sales and marketing director Nick Smith; international sales manager Tim Forrester; and agent for the business Abdirahman Omar.

The hearing was adjourned until 14 April, with trial set for 10 November 2014.

The 100-staff company, which was established in 1939, specialises in security documents such as ballot papers, exam certificates and payment vouchers.

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