A businessman Yagnesh Devani who was facing Sh7.6 billion graft case has been freed by the court.
The Anti-Corruption Court set him free today after it allowed the DPP’s application to have the matter withdrawn.
The court in its ruling said that there’s no reason not to allow the application adding that no witness had testified in the matter .
“I find no reason to reject the application to withdraw this case.I hereby allow applicants to proceed to discharge the accused person,”.It is ordered accordingly,’court ruled
In the matter Devani was charged in relation to 2008 Triton oil scandal.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga had earlier sought to withdraw the Sh7.6 billion corruption charges against Devani and his firm, Triton Petroleum Company Limited.
He had presented an oral application to Magistrate Harrison Barasa, requesting the termination of the case. He had cited difficulties in tracing witnesses, noting that some have passed away.
Through prosecutor Eliphas Ombati, Ingonga applied to have the case dropped under section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
In this case, Devani and Triton Petroleum Company Limited are accused of the fraudulent release of 126 million liters of oil, violating a collateral financing agreement with Emirates National Oil Company (Singapore) Limited. Devani faces eleven counts of fraud, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining by false pretenses, and the fraudulent disposition of mortgaged goods.
He had been charged that on September 5, 2008, while serving as Managing Director of Triton Petroleum, Devani and others unlawfully disposed of 13,054,850 cubic meters of diesel, valued at approximately USD 10,146,888.36 and Sh 32,017,783.66, to Total Kenya Limited without the consent of Emirates National Oil Company, the mortgagee.
Devani was out on Sh5 million cash bail.
