BY SAM ALFAN.
A fraud suspect is required to surrender to court in a fortnight at the risk of arrest.
Nina Jayesh Shanghavi who is the co-director of a popular restaurant accused of fraudulently obtaining over Sh525 million billion from Victoria Commercial Bank skipped court appearance even after a warrant for her arrest was issued on November 26.
She was ordered to present herself in court, failure in which the lender will be free to place an advertisement in the newspaper over her missing.
The lender had applied before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul to be allowed to put an advertisement in the newspaper, announcing that Ms Ninaa Shanghavi was missing.
The magistrate, however directed her to present herself in court within two weeks.Her spouse, Jayesh Shanghavi was charged two weeks ago and denied the charges of obtaining a loan by false pretences.
Jayesh, his wife Nina Jayesh Shanghavi (absent during plea) and Good Earth (Group) ltd are accused that between December 10, 2018 and November 23, 2020 in Nairobi, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, jointly with others not before court induced Victoria Commercial Bank ltd to execute First Legal Charge over agreement Number B2 erected on land reference Number 1870/11/253, Nairobi (Crystal Edge Apartments) to secure Sh520, 000,000 million as valuable security.
The couple through their lawyer informed the court that she had left the country by the time Shanghavi was picked by police officers.He pleaded to be allowed to present herself once she gets back to the country.
The prosecution and the bank however, opposed the application saying she is aware of the charges but chose not to come to court.
The lender said the warrant of arrest should remain in force and the investigation officer should be summoned to explain efforts he has made to arrest her.
Good Earth Ltd is the company behind Nyama Mama, Blue Door, Yao and Deli and Bakery.
He was released on a cash bail of Sh400, 000 pending hearing and determination of the criminal case.
The case will be mentioned on December 21.