BY IRENE ONYANGO.
A Cameroon businessman has been charged with obtaining Sh19.5Million while pretending to be in a position to supply goods from Kenya to Iran.
Fritz Bwangai Sah was arraigned before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina and denied the charges preferred against him.
On the first count, Bwangai falsely pretended that he was in a position to supply 57,000 mega tonnes of green coffee beans from Kenya to Iran.
It is alleged that he committed the offence on diverse dates between May 1, 2023 and January 30, 2024, at an unknown place jointly with others not before court. The charge sheet stated that he committed the offence with intent to defraud obtained Sh19,500,000 from Mahdi Afsharpanah.
He is further charged with conspiracy to defraud Mahdi of the money by pretending that he would supply the green coffee beans.
While opposing bond, the Prosecution told the court that the accused person is a flight risk since he has been on the run since June 2023 after discovering that he was wanted by the police.
Additionally, the prosecution told the court that Bwangai is a frequent traveller according to his passport and that he was unlikely to show up in court, if freed on bond.
The prosecutor urged the court to withhold the accused passport and get a Kenyan surety, if inclined to release him on bond.
His lawyer however opposed the application by the prosecution stating that the accused person was arrested at his residence Kileleshwa on March 22.
The lawyer stated that the Bwangai owns businesses here in Kenya and despite his travel histrory, will always come back to Kenya having lived in the country for almost 8 years.
The matter will be mentioned on 27th for confirmation of Pre bail report.
