Four suspects charged with over Ksh.80M fraud in sugar import scam

Four individuals have been charged at the Milimani Law Courts with conspiracy to defraud different businessmen by falsely claiming they could import sugar from Brazil to Kenya.

In the first count, they are accused of conspiring, on diverse dates between May 15, 2023 and October 1, 2023 within Nairobi County, to defraud Raise Mohammed of Ksh.45,150,100 by pretending that they were in a position to import sugar from Brazil - a fact they allegedly knew to be false.

The accused - Mary Muthoni Gitonga, Abdi Khan Gedi, Noor Hassan, and Grace Waiguma - pleaded not guilty to the charges.

They also face additional counts, including obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a felony.

In total, they face eight charges. In a separate count, they are accused of fraudulently obtaining Ksh.18 million from Sadia Abdi Mohammed. Similarly, they are charged with obtaining Ksh.6.7 million from Wariyo Godana Kalicha.

Through their lawyer, the accused have requested to be released on bail, arguing that they are not a flight risk.

The court is set to rule on the bail application on Thursday.