Two in court for land fraud accused of threatening trader
Ms Elizabeth Waiyego Njang'iru (left) and Mr Emmanuel Okelo, directors of Joem Consultants Ltd in court on February 28, 2018. The two, who have been charged with defrauding a city trader of land valued at Sh80 million, have been accused of threatening him with dire consequences. PHOTO | RICHARD MUNGUTI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The two are said to have double-sold the land to three traders for Sh72 million.
- Mr Andayi, who is trying the two company executives, warned them against introducing sideshows in the case.
- The accused denied nine counts of forgery, making a fake document and obtaining money by false pretence.
Two directors of a city company charged with defrauding a businessman of his land valued at Sh80 million have been accused of threatening him with dire consequences.
The two are said to have double-sold the land to three traders for Sh72 million.
Mr Emmanuel Okelo and Ms Elizabeth Waiyego Njang'iru, directors of Joem Consultants Ltd, denied defrauding Arshad Shamsudin Alibhai and Nafisa Arshad Alibhai of Sh35 million pretending they were the legal owners of a parcel of land reference number 12239/73 (original 12239/6/2).
They were also charged with fraudulently obtaining Sh37 million from Karim Hassanali Shariff by presenting the same title document to him purporting it to be genuine and validly registered in their names.
Trial Magistrate Francis Andayi was told the two, Okelo and Waiyego, threatened the complainant, Mr Isaac Kamau Ndirangu, “with dire consequences if he was going to press for their prosecution.”
STOP SIDESHOWS
But Mr Andayi, who is trying the two company executives, warned them against introducing sideshows in the case.
Mr Andayi asked all the parties involved in the case to spend their energies pursuing justice.
A lawyer appearing for Mr Ndirangu raised the issue of threats immediately Mr Okelo and Ms Njangiru pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate was shown a letter sent to Mr Ndirangu which was said to have been authored by defence lawyer Joseph Wagara.
Mr Wagara protested the remarks directed to him by Mr Ndirangu’s lawyer who also represents the Nairobi City County saying, “It is true I wrote the letter produced in this court by the complainants’ lawyer but the issues have been settled now that the accused have been formerly charged.”
THREATENED
In the letter, Mr Ndirangu had been threatened over his intended move to have the two prosecuted over the transactions on the said land which gave rise to the present criminal case.
“Mr Ndirangu has been threatened. His life is in danger over his land,” the court was told.
But State prosecutor Solomon Naulikha downplayed the issue saying it had been settled now that the two defendants have taken plea.
They denied nine counts of forgery, making a fake document and obtaining money by false pretence.
They were released on a Sh300,000 cash bail.
The case will be mentioned in two weeks for further directions.
