Two Nigerian Face Charges for Alleged Ksh60.4 Million (#327Million) Fraud Against Kenyan Businessman (Watch)
Two Nigerian nationals are facing legal charges in a Kenyan court after allegedly engaging in a fraudulent scheme that resulted in the defrauding of a Kenyan businessman of Ksh60.4 million. The individuals, who go by the names of Ali Ojo and Victor Nyekazi Wagwu, were brought before Milimani Magistrate Ben Mark Enhubi to answer to accusations of both cheating and being present in the country unlawfully.
These alleged fraudulent activities took place over a period spanning from January 20 to May 19, 2023, specifically within the jurisdiction of Nairobi county. Acting in concert with others who have yet to be apprehended, Ojo and Wagwu purportedly employed deceptive tactics to swindle Noor Omar Ahmed out of USD 420,000. This sum was ostensibly intended for the procurement of a reagent, a substance used to eliminate markings on foreign currency notes. These marked funds were purportedly due to Ahmed in connection with the sale of the Lisbon Hotel.
Court documents assert that the accused Nigerians falsely represented their intention to acquire the Lisbon Hotel, a property claimed to be under the ownership of their family. However, their purported acquisition was reportedly a guise to carry out the fraudulent scheme. The apprehension of Ojo and Wagwu occurred at the Rubis Petrol station near Bellevue Estate in Nairobi County. It is noteworthy that they were taken into custody without possessing valid passports and visas.
Seeking release on bail, the defendants contended that they are actually citizens of Uganda who were in Kenya for business purposes. Ojo, in particular, informed the court of his marital ties to a Kenyan national and mentioned that he and his spouse have been blessed with five children.
He said below 👇
“I am married to a Kenyan and my wife and her parents are in court to prove that l am not a flight risk.”
He further asked the court to free him on bond because being a Nigerian is not a tangible reason to deny him bond.
The Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki however opposed the release of the duo on bail, saying they are a flight risk as they are foreigners who reside in Uganda and are Nigerian citizens.
She told the court that police have since established that the two accused persons have no visas and once released, they will definitely abscond. The magistrate ordered the two to be remanded in custody until August 18 when he will decide whether to free them on bond or not.