The court has summoned a Malaysian national to testify in a case related to a Ksh 2.85 billion gold scam. Milimani principal magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo issued the summons after the prosecution requested an adjournment due to the absence of the complainant, Halid Bin Yacoob.
State counsel James Murage informed the court that attempts to contact the complainant via WhatsApp had been unsuccessful, prompting the request for a delay. While other witnesses are prepared to testify, they prefer to wait for the key complainant to present his evidence first.
However, defense attorneys Wandungi Kirathe and Alex Kimani opposed the adjournment, arguing that the prosecution should ensure the complainant’s presence, as their clients have faced ongoing delays in the case. They urged the court to consider Section 202 of the constitution regarding the consequences of a complainant’s repeated absence.
Sh 2.8B Gold Fraud: Malaysian National Called to the Stand
“Kindly your honour I pray you dismiss this matter since the complainant is no longer interested to pursue the case,” Kimani prayed.
In response, Murage urged the court to consider the weighty of the matter and consider his plea for adjournment.
He further informed the court about the current situation in Malaysia where it is grappling with a massive gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights that resulted in evacuations and injuries,
“Considering the current situation in Malaysia, no one knows whether the complainant is safe or not but we hope he is fine. For that reason I pray you consider our prayer and grant our request for adjournment,” Murage said.
The accused persons were charged with conspiracy to steal Ksh 2.85 billion from two Malaysian nationals in a non-existing gold scam business.
The seven accused persons include; Didier Muke, Brian Otiende, Patrick Otieno, Mark Kabete, Ken Kiboi, Joshua Ngandi and Charles Cincent Njerenga.
It was reported that they were on the verge of a 500-kilogramme semi-refined gold bar fraud scam.
The suspects were alleged to have visibly shocked, the complainant who landed in Kenya from Kuala Lumpur on December 25, 2023, following an invitation by Rock Africa miner operated by the suspects.
In the well-choreographed scheme, the suspects set up an operational base in a house in Kileleshwa, with fully furnished office-style rooms to dupe the unsuspecting foreign nationals.
The two foreigners were to meet the seven on December 27, to finalize on the first shipment of 50 kg refined gold, per kilogram going for Ksh 7.2 million.
