Four people were today arraigned before a Kiambu Chief Magistrate charged with conspiracy to defraud a Nigerian National of USD200,000 pretending they were carrying out a genuine clearing a forwarding business of clearing Gold for him.
Seth Steve Okute, Samuel Macharia Muchemi, Victor Onyango Juma Were charged that on diverse dates between 22nd January 2020 and 20th September 2020 within Nairobi County, jointly with others not before court, with intent to defraud Yusuf Usman Anto a Nigerian National of USD200,000 by use of fraudulent tricks by preparing a fake KRA invitation letter for viewing of Gold, a fake air France way bill No.057-19335514 and confirmation of arrival letter dated 30th August 2020 for a consignment of 230kg of Gold from Ivory Coast and having an office trading in the name of LUX CARGO GROUP(k) and EURO PACIFIC CARGO LTD, falsely pretending they were carrying out a genuine clearing and forwarding business.
They faced a second count of obtaining the money which is equivalent to Sh21,200,000 million from Yusuf Usman Anto by falsely pretending that they were in a position to clear a consignment of gold weighing 230kg at KRA customs JKIA offices, a fact they knew to be false.
They pleaded not guilty to the two counts.
For the prosecution, Stephen Kasyoka told the court he had no objection for them to be released on bond.
The magistrate therefore released the first accused on a Sh5 million with a surety of a similar amount or a cash bail of Sh2million. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th accused were released on a bond of Sh1 million with a surety of similar amount or a cash bail of Sh400, 000 each.
Their case will be mentioned on October 14th and heard on January 18th of 2021.
The court further instructed that two motor vehicles confiscated from the 2nd and 3rd accused be returned to them as they were not connected to the case before court. They were further ordered to deposit their passports with the court during the hearing of the case.
The same court allowed detectives to hold the body guard of a Member of Parliament for Githunguri in Kiambu County for 14 days pending investigations into an incident in which he is believed to have fatally shot dead a security guard after he was denied entry into Riverside bar and restaurant at 2.30am yesterday.
The court allowed police to detain Daniel Kinyanjui Wainaina for 14 days to enable them complete investigations in the early morning incident in which the suspect who is an officer of the Administration Police Service was involved.
Sergeant David Okiki from DCI Kiambu told the court that he required ample time to analyze the scene where the shooting occurred, record statements from witnesses, proceed to the suspect’s duty station to confirm the ammunition issued to him which he intends to take for analysis.
He also said he needs to conduct a post mortem on the body of the deceased who was pronounced dead at a private hospital in Kiambu where he was rushed after the shooting incident and also escort the accused for a psychiatric examination which would enable them to proceed with charging him with the offence.
The case will be mentioned on October 16. He was represented by Maxwell Njehu who successfully opposed his client to be detained for 21 days saying it was unreasonable and that they could complete in fewer days.
By Lydia Shiloya
