A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against the prime suspect in an alleged KSh100 million Brazilian sugar importation fraud.
Magistrate Charles Ondieki issued the warrant against Abdirizak Kassim Bare, 46, who faces allegations of orchestrating a scheme that defrauded four businesspeople of more than KSh100 million.
Court issues warrant after suspect misses hearings
The court issued the warrant after Kassim Bare failed to attend court twice.
On both occasions, he informed the court that he was unwell.
Although the accused asked the court to lift the warrant, the magistrate declined the request.
The court will deliver its ruling on whether to lift the warrant tomorrow.
Investigators link fraud to Brazilian sugar deal
According to investigators, the complainants intended to import 15,000 bags of Brazilian sugar.
However, they allegedly lost more than KSh100 million during the transaction.
Investigators claim the suspects moved the money through five different bank accounts controlled by a criminal syndicate.
The alleged fraud took place between May and October 2023.
Victims reported the matter to DCI
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects lured the victims into what appeared to be a profitable business venture.
The victims later discovered they had fallen victim to a coordinated fraud scheme.
“The investigation established how between May and October 2023, the unsuspecting victims were lured into a business deal to import the sugar, thereby making payments totaling to over a hundred million shillings through five different bank accounts,” the DCI stated.
Investigators said the suspects disappeared after receiving the money.
As a result, the victims reported the matter to the DCI.
DCI investigation leads to criminal charges
The DCI’s Operation Support Unit investigated the case and compiled a comprehensive investigation file.
The investigators later forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
After reviewing the evidence, the ODPP approved the prosecution of the suspects.
Kassim Bare now faces eight criminal charges, including obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.
The case will return to court for a ruling on whether the warrant of arrest will remain in force.
