BY NT CORRESPONDENT.
Three people have been charged in a Nairobi Court with obtaining Sh 123 million from a Kazakhstan national by false pretences.
Evelyne Adhiambo Osore, Stephen Roberts Andere and Berlin Owino Ajeck appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot and pleaded not guilty to another charges of money laundering.
Prosecution alleges that the trio obtained the monies from Damir Ryskulov pretending they were in a position to supply him with Maasai artifacts, sculptures and processes tea.
They are further accused of engaging in an arrangement for transfer of USD 1,230,350 (Sh 123,350,000) while knowing or ought to have known that the said money was part of proceeds of crime falsely obtained from Damir whose effect was to conceal the movement of the said money.
The court heard that three conspired to defraud and did obtain from Damir Ryskulov USD 1 million (Equivalent to Sh 100 million) by falsely pretending they were in a position to supply him with one ton of Maasai artifacts and sculptures.
They are alleged to have committed the offences on diverse dates between January 22 and May 13,2019.
The suspects are facing other charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining USD150,000 (Sh 15 million) from the complainant by pretending that they were in a position to supply BIM with four tons of processed tea.
In addition, the three face charges of obtaining USD 80,350 (equivalent to Sh 8,035,000) from the same complainant pretending that they were in a position to offer transport for four tons of processed tea from Kenya to Kazakhstan.
Prosecution opposed the accused to be released on bond claiming they are flight risk.
The court was informed that the accused persons may interfere with witnesses and investigation if granted bail.
Prosecution urged the court to detain the three pending the hearing of the case.