By Dorothy Musyoka
Abdiwahab Adan Maalim, the Director of Vaad Limited, a real estate firm based in Nairobi, has been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts over allegations of defrauding a homebuyer of Sh6.4 million in a stalled housing project.
The case stems from a complaint filed on December 30, 2024, at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters, where a client accused Maalim of soliciting millions of shillings under false pretenses.
The complainant had entered into a contractual agreement with Maalim for the construction of a home under the “Oakside Phase 2” housing project in Syokimau, Mavoko Municipality.
According to the agreement, signed on September 22, 2022, the project was to cost Sh13 million, with an initial deposit of Sh3 million and the balance to be paid in installments over two years.
“Investigators from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit launched a thorough investigation and uncovered that Maalim had entered into a contractual agreement with the complainant for the construction of a house,” explained the DCI.
“Dated September 22, 2022, the agreement stipulated a total project cost of Sh13 million, which included a Sh3 million upfront deposit and subsequent periodic payments, all expected to be completed within 24 months,” the DCI added.
However, despite paying a total of Sh6.4 million within seven months, the complainant noted that no construction had taken place.
DCI officers from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit launched investigations and confirmed that more than a year past the agreed completion date, not even the foundation of the house had been laid.
According to the reports, Maalim pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a Sh1 million bond or a cash bail of Sh100,000.
The case will be mentioned again on May 12, 2025.
Authorities say multiple complaints have been filed against Maalim and his company, Vaad Limited.
Additionally the DCI has urged anyone else who may have been defrauded to report to their headquarters for further investigations.