Explosive Scandal: Six Accused in KES 2.8 BILLION Gold Scam Remain Detained

Milimani senior principal magistrate Wandia Nyamu directed a Congelese national Muke Wa Mansoni Didier and five Kenyans Patric Otieno Oduar, Brian Otieno Anyanga, Makfish Riogi Kabete, Ken Omondi Kimboi and Joshua Odhiambo Engade being remanded in prison custody until January 9, 2024.

The magistrate directed the accused persons to apply for their release on bond on the same day when they will be presented before the trial court for pre bail directions.

The six were arrested on Wednesday at Kileleshwa and were detained in custody over fraud allegations.

The prosecution told Mrs Nyamu the accused had conspired to defraud a Malaysian invester Halid Bin Mohammed Yaacob Sh 2.85 billion pretending they were in a position to sell to him 500kg of pure gold.

The accused allegedly hatched the plot to defraud the Malaysian businessman the colossal sum on diverse dates between October 19, and December 27, 2023.

They were also charged with attempting to steal USD 19 million equivalent to Sh 2.85 billion.

The prosecution claimed the six had pretended they were in a position to sell 500kg of gold which they would sell to Yaacob a fact they knew to be false.

They were arrested in sting operation staged by DCI officers and applied to be released on bond.

A Defence lawyer Simon Mburu for the accused told the court the offence is bailable and they should granted the same as it is their constitutional and their fundamental right,

” I urge this court to release the accused on bond even though the prosecution is opposing,” he pleaded.

Even before the prosecutor uttered a word the court on its own volition directed the suspects to be remanded in prison custody until January 9, 2024 when the accused will appear before the trial magistrate for bail determination,

“I will not hear the bail application since I am not in a position to make a determination today,” said the magistrate.

They were detained in custody until January 9, 2024 when the matter will be mentioned.