Two Nigerians stand accused of defrauding a Kenyan businessman of Ksh60.4 million in a fraudulent transaction. The suspects, Ali Ojo and Victor Nyekazi Wagwu, have been brought before Milimani Magistrate Ben Mark Enhubi to face charges of cheating and violating immigration laws.
Between January 20 and May 19, 2023, in Nairobi county, the defendants, along with accomplices who have not yet been apprehended, committed an offense. According to reports, they utilized fraudulent tactics to swindle Noor Omar Ahmed out of USD 420,000. The funds were intended for the acquisition of a reagent to erase marks on foreign currency funds that Ahmed was anticipating as part of the sale of the Lisbon Hotel.
The court claimed that Lisbon Hotel is a family property that the two Nigerians claimed they wanted to buy. Ojo and Wagwu were arrested at Rubis Petrol station near Bellevue Estate in Nairobi County without valid passports and visas.
Applying to be released on bond, the accused said they are Ugandan citizens and were in the country for business. Ojo told the court that he is married to a Kenyan and they have been blessed with five children.
He said;
“I am married to a Kenyan and my wife and her parents are in court to prove that l am not a flight risk.”
He further asked the court to free him on bond because being a Nigerian is not a tangible reason to deny him bond.
The Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki however opposed the release of the duo on bail, saying they are a flight risk as they are foreigners who reside in Uganda and are Nigerian citizens.
She told the court that police have since established that the two accused persons have no visas and once released, they will definitely abscond. The magistrate ordered the two to be remanded in custody until August 18 when he will decide whether to free them on bond or not.