BY SAM ALFAN .
A Nairobi court has rejected an application by politician Seth Steve Okute and businessman Bruno Otieno Orienda to be acquitted of Sh12.7 million gold scam.
The two wanted the charges against them quashed over the failure by the complainant, an American to come and testify in the case.
But Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi dismissed the application and gave the prosecution more time to ensure the American shows up and testifies.
The prosecution informed the court that they are bonded the complainant on two occasions but he was yet to show up for the hearing.
The court heard that two other witnesses were ready to testify but the magistrate ruled that the complainant should take the witness stand first.
Okute who contested the Karachuonyo parliamentary seat Member on an ODM ticket and Olienda are accused of obtaining USD100,000, which is equivalent to Sh12.7 million from Marjorie R Grant.
The court heard that they committed the offence on November 9, 2022 at I&M Bank within Nairobi County with intent to defraud.
They obtained the millions by falsely pretending that Newsky’s Global Cargo Movers International ltd were in a position to pay custom duties for 33 kilograms of gold shipped from Burkina Faso a fact they knew to be false.
Okute and Otieno Olienda are also charged with conspiracy to obtain Sh12,7 million from Marjorie by falsely pretending they were in position to pay custom duties for 33 kilograms of gold shipped from Burkina Faso to Zurich a fact they knew was false.
They were released after depositing in court cash bail of Sh600,000 each and two contact person.
