In Nairobi, a court has mandated that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) furnish evidence by May 18 in the case against two Kenyan nationals and a Congolese citizen accused of orchestrating a $570,000 gold scam. The trio, Patrick Ngare Muchina, Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, and Muke wa Mansoni Didier, have been charged with defrauding Iranian entrepreneur Sadegh Sadeghain Abolfazi in a complex gold scheme.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitub issued the order after the defendants informed the court they had not yet received copies of witness statements necessary for preparing their defense. Originally scheduled for a pre-trial hearing, the proceedings were delayed as the prosecution had not provided the defense team with essential witness statements and exhibits.
The accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money through false pretenses from Abolfazi. The prosecution claims that between April 2021 and April 14, 2023, the three individuals conspired to defraud the Iranian businessman in the Kilimani area of Nairobi.
Abolfazi reportedly paid the defendants millions of shillings in installments, believing they would supply him with 60 kilograms of gold. The accused have also requested the court to order investigators to return their personal belongings, including phones, which were confiscated during their arrest on April 17.
Previously, each defendant was released on a Sh3 million bond or Sh1 million cash bail, pending the outcome of the case. The Congolese national assured the court of his willingness to comply with bail conditions, including surrendering his passport.
This incident is the latest in a series of gold scams that have led to significant financial losses for unsuspecting entrepreneurs.