Liberian linked to Sh54 million fake gold deal freed on bond
A Liberian national charged with defrauding a Korean of $408,229 (Sh54 million) in a fake gold transaction has been freed on a bond of a million with one Kenyan Surety.
Milimani law courts chief magistrate Susan Shitubi freed Carace Ownze Toomey after receiving a pre-bail report that favoured him.
Ms Shitubi concurred with defence lawyers Victor Mosota and Ishmael Nyaribo that bail is a constitutional right that is enjoyed by all suspects arraigned in court regardless of their nationality.
“Suspects arraigned over various offences are guaranteed of liberty by the constitution which guarantees freedom to all persons living in Kenya,”Ms. Shitubi ruled.
She however directed Toomey who is married to a Kenyan woman to deposit his passport in court.
He was further warned that his bond will be cancelled should he violate the terms imposed.
Ms Shitubi ordered Toomey to keep away from state witnesses.
Toomey is the second Liberian to be charged this week after Joseph Bedell, 57, who is accused of defrauding the same complainant Shanmugm Sundar Darmaraju on March 30 and April 4, 2023.
The accused claimed he was in a position to export 6.4kgs of gold from Liberia to Dubai through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi.
He was remanded in custody while his relatives went about to get security to secure his freedom.
In another court, a businessman Samuel Waithaka Gathuru who is charged alongside eight other suspects in a Sh53.8 million fake gold deal has been ordered to appear in court on May 31, 2023, for allocation of a trial date.
Gathuru is charged alongside Moses Otieno Oketch, Patrobas Odhiambo Tobias, Elisha Mbadi Kimbero, Teddy Samora Kowino, Joanis Kaissarios (a Greek national) , Mugabe Patrick Biriji (Congolese) and Collins Kiprotich Langat.
Only Gathuru and Oketch have pleaded to the charge of conspiracy to defraud Ismail Kolawole Adesina USD434,100 (KSh53,828,400) pretending they would sell to him and ship 156 kilograms of gold to Dubai from Nairobi.
The eight are facing a charge of obtaining USD 434,100 (KSh53,828,400) claiming they will ship to Adesina the 156 kgs of gold to Dubai.
Senior principal magistrate Esther Kimilu ordered Gathuru to return to court May 31, 2023, for pre-trial directions.
And Congolese nationals – Mathew Bayindu Patsum and Mercelin wa Nyanguangu Bruce – have also charged with defrauding Darmaraju on March 30 2023 and April 4.
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