Two suspects of the gold scam syndicate have been arraigned in court over Sh 16 million fraud claims and released on bail pending the completion of investigations.
Innocent Wafula and Alexander Kiranda Kato alias Morgan Junior Jaggwe appeared before Magistrate Zaina Abdul where the state sought to detain them for days to complete investigation`
They are accused that on diverse dates between December 3,2020 and January 30,2021, the two suspects obtained a total of 16 Million by pretending that they were in a position to sell Gold to the complainant.
The court was informed that this case involves a syndicate which comprises fraudsters from different nationalities who are still at large and are being pursued.
Through investigation officer Dekow Nuno, the court was informed that the suspects are a flight risk in that Wafula is a Kenyan with unknown abode in Nairobi and or elsewhere and Kiranda is a Ugandan National who could not produce his passport neither could he show his place of abode in Kenya.
“The exhibits in the case which is the stolen money was wired in different banks between South Africa and Kenya and nothing has been recovered so far,” added Nuno.
Nuno was seeking a two days detention against the two at Muthaiga police station to be able to complete investigations and obtain bank documents from Kenya and United Arab Arab Emirates, Dubai.
“I fear that if the suspects are released, they might interfere with the investigations and the Ugandan escape, “he added.
Nuno in the application seeking detention pleaded with magistrate Zainab Abdul to allow his application.
Wafula is said to have been impersonating a Kenya Revenue officer with intent to defraud.
On the other hand, the defense through lawyer Michael Amalemba opposed an application by the state arguing that there was no evidence before court to warrant detention of the two suspects.
“The prosecution has not produced any evidence to show that the suspects are a flight risk, “added Amalemba.
They have been released on Sh 200,000 cash bail pending the conclusion of investigations and also directed to be appearing before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations until the investigations are over.
They were also ordered to deposit their passports in court and to produce a Kenyan surety each.
