Bungoma Farmer in Court for Alleged Ksh 1.9M Coffee Export Scam

Peter Omutsani Mulala, operating as Limbola Farmers Limited, appeared before the Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina and denied the charges levelled against him.

The prosecution told the court that on diverse dates between October 23 and November 13, 2024, in Nairobi county within the Republic of Kenya, with others not before the court, obtained Ksh 1,920,100 from Muhamed Reda.

The court heard that he obtained the said money through his company in the guise of procuring and exporting 19 tonnes of black coffee, grade screen from the port of Mombasa and shipping the consignment in the port of Casablanca in the Republic of Morocco. The statement he knew to be a lie.

He was also charged with the acquisition and use of proceeds of crime, an action which is contrary to the law.

He was charged that on November 13, 2024, at an unknown place within the country, he acquired USD 14,770, equivalent to Ksh 1,920,100 in the United Bank of Africa, an account that is held in the name of his company, while he knew or ought to know the money formed part of the proceeds of crime. He was further charged with using the said money knowingly formed from the proceeds of crime.

He denied the charges, and through his lawyer, he requested the court to release him on lenient cash bail or bond terms.

“Your honour, my client is a farmer in Bungoma, and he buys dried coffee beans from farmers, and he has a good history in the business. I pray for lenient terms that he can afford to raise,” the lawyer pleaded.

The Magistrate released him on a bond of Ksh 300,000 with a surety of the same amount or alternative cash bail of Ksh 200,000 with one contact person.