A businessman was Monday arraigned in court over allegations of defrauding a foreign national of Sh223 million in a fake gold deal.
David Onyango Ochanda appeared before Magistrate Dolphina Alego, where he denied two charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences.
According to the charge sheet, between March 31 and May 30, 2024, in Nairobi County, Ochanda conspired with others already before the court to defraud American national Tanner Caldwell Cook of USD 1,271,200 (approximately Sh223.7 million).
The accused allegedly claimed he could sell 2,820 kilograms of gold to the complainant, knowing the claim was false.
In the second count, Ochanda is accused of obtaining the same amount from Cook by false pretences, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.
Through his lawyer, Ochanda sought release on cash bail or bond, noting that his co-accused in a related case had been granted similar terms.
The prosecution did not oppose the application, confirming that the other suspects had been freed on a cash bail of Sh400,000 or an alternative bond of Sh1 million.
Magistrate Alego granted Ochanda the same terms, releasing him on a cash bail of Sh400,000 or a bond of Sh1 million, pending trial.
And a woman accused of defrauding a businesswoman of Sh36 million has been released on a Sh3 million cash bail.
Lilian Wangui Odwoma, alias Lilian Weru, appeared before Magistrate Dolphina Alego on Monday, where she denied the charges.
The court was told that between May 6 and May 20, 2024, in Westlands, Nairobi, the accused conspired with others not before the court to defraud Elizabeth Wanjiku Muigai of USD 50,000 and Sh30 million.
She is alleged to have falsely claimed she could help the complainant secure a standby letter of credit from Pacific Concord International FZC in Dubai.
Wangui also faced two additional counts relating to the acquisition and use of proceeds of crime.
Through her lawyer, John Swaka, she pleaded for leniency, citing ill health.
The case will be mentioned on September 16, 2025.
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