Lupemba Lorenzi Olivier appeared before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina under a miscellaneous application where police requested orders to detain him for 10 days to complete investigations.
Police seek more time to investigate gold fraud allegations
The court heard that Olivier was arrested on July 31, 2025, by officers from the DCI Operations Support Unit.
According to an affidavit filed by Sergeant Samuel Itegi, police require more time to investigate the allegations and analyse evidence collected during the arrest.
The investigator told the court that the suspect’s mobile phone would be subjected to forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigations.
Police also want time to verify Olivier’s residence and trace other suspects believed to be involved in the alleged transaction.
Dubai companies accuse suspect of fake gold deal
The case began after two foreign investors reported the matter to the DCI in June 2025 at Capitol Hill Police Station.
The complainants, Ulrich Kenney and Mekalih Tifre Masho, are representatives of Hala Diamond Gold Trading and Jonro Global Trading LLC, companies based in Dubai.
Kenney, a Gabonese passport holder, and Masho, an Eritrean national, had travelled to Kenya in search of investment opportunities in the gold business.
They were allegedly introduced to Olivier by a Kenyan businessman identified as Ali, who claimed that genuine gold was available for sale.
Suspects discussed 40 kilograms of gold purchase
Police told the court that Olivier allegedly confirmed the availability of gold and arranged a meeting with the investors.
During the meeting, the parties discussed purchasing 40 kilograms of gold, with each company expected to receive 20 kilograms.
The court heard that the transaction involved a proposed 5-kilogram gold collateral to protect the buyers against possible logistical costs.
The investors later entered separate sales agreements with the seller’s agents through Swifttaxis Logistics Limited.
Investors allegedly paid millions but received no gold
According to court documents, Hala Diamond Gold Trading transferred USD140,000 through a bank account in Switzerland to Kadiki & Advocates as instructed by the seller.
The investors were later allegedly provided with a 5-kilogram gold collateral that was placed under joint custody at First Monetary Security Limited.
They also made an additional payment of Sh180,000 through a Safaricom Till Number.
However, police told the court that despite making the payments, the investors never received the gold they had paid for.
The failure to deliver the gold prompted them to report the matter to authorities.
Court considers detention request
The DCI asked the court to allow Olivier to remain in custody for 10 days, arguing that releasing him at this stage could interfere with investigations.
Police said they are still pursuing other individuals linked to the alleged fraud.
The court will consider the prosecution’s request as investigations continue into the Sh18 million gold fraud allegations.
