Trial date of Sh13 million fake gold case set
A case against two suspected fake gold dealers charged with defrauding an American citizen over Sh12.7 million while claiming they are in a position to ship to him 33 kilogrammes of gold will proceed on March 22, 2023.
The suspects Seth Steve Okute and Bruno Otieno Olienda are seeking court orders to have some personal items taken during investigations returned to them.
Bruno and Okute have denied defrauding Marjorie Grant US Dollars 100,000 (Sh12.7m) through the pretext they were in a position to ship 33 kilogrammes of gold from Burkina Faso to Zurich through Newsky Global Cargo Movers International Limited.
They denied a second count of conspiracy to defraud Marjorie R Grant US Dollars 100,000 through the fake gold deal.
Ms Kimilu freed the two suspects on cash bail of Sh600,000 when they were first brought before her.
The magistrate heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has recalled a file in which eight other suspected accomplices were scheduled to be charged with similar offenses.
A state prosecutor sought to have the case mentioned in 14 days to enable the DPP to reconsider his decision on the fate of the eight suspects.
“I pray that plea in this matter be deferred to enable the DPP to study the investigation file and then make an informed decision,” a state prosecutor Msv Ann Munyua urged the magistrate.
Defence lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta and Kenneth Wanyanga applied to have the plea against the eight be deferred too.
“We had written to the DPP to review his position in this matter,” Ombeta told the magistrate.
Those scheduled to benefit from the review are Moses Otieno Oketch, Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, Elisha Mbadi Kimbero, Teddy Samora Kowino, Joannis Kaisarios and Mugabe Patrick.
The magistrate allowed the request by the DPP to refer the matter back to his office.
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