BY SAM ALFAN.
A Congolese national whose millions were frozen in suspected case of money laundering is staring at another possible seizure as a state agency targets a luxurious Bentley Bentayaga.
In a case filed before the High Court, Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) wants a car dealer prohibited from selling the vehicle belonging to Jean-Paul Tshikangu Musangu.
The agency says in the application that Car Warehouse should be selling the Bentley, which was imported by the company but owned by Musangu. The vehicle is currently parked at the Port of Mombasa.
The agency further wants Car Warehouse ltd be ordered to surrender the car with immediate effect together with it’s logbook.
In the filed under certificate of urgency, ARA is seeking an order directing the Director General of National Transport and Safety Authority to register caveat against the Bentley.
ARA’s investigator Isaac Nakitare says the Bentley Bentayaga was imported into the Country by Car Warehouse ltd and is awaiting clearing and registration under the name of Tshikangu by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
He adds that investigations have further established that Tshikangu and his accomplice Venan Mabiala Mabiala and their company Groupe Elykia Limited do not have busines premises contrary to their claims that they deal in timber or wood business.
“Investigations have established that upon receipt of the suspects funds, Tshikangu withdrew in cash or transferred to multiple accounts owned by himself or his associates and purchased assets including the motor vehicle in issue and Tshikangu has not tendered any reasonable evidence to show that he is engaged in any legitimate business”, investigating officer adds.
According to the agency, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Tshikangu acquired the said Bentley Bentayaga using proceeds of crime and is a benefit of proceeds of crime.
In another case, Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) wants Sh289.8 million seized from a Congolese and his Belgian accomplice forfeited to the state stating that they are proceeds of crime.
The funds were banked in Stanbic bank under the name Groupe Elykia ltd and Jean-Paul Tshikangu Musangu and Venan Ma-Mabiala Mabiala, a Belgian.
The agency also wants a Mercedes Benze belonging to Musangu forfeited to the government as part of proceeds of crime.
“Court be pleased to issue an order that the above funds and motor vehicle be forfeited to the Government of Kenya and transferred to the Assets Recovery Agency and do make any other ancillary orders it considers appropriate to facilitate the transfer of the property forfeited to the Government,” urges the agency.
The agency says there are reasonable grounds to be believe that the funds are proceeds of crime or acquired from proceeds of crime and are used as conduits of money laundering contrary to Sections 3,4, 7 and 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
