By Dorothy Musyoka
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has submitted an application to a Nairobi court requesting a 30-day detention period for six suspects linked to a wide range of land fraud offenses.
According to the ODPP the move aims to give the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sufficient time to complete their extensive probe into the suspects’ alleged illegal activities.
Read more: Six Suspected Land Fraudsters Arrested In Multi-Agency Sting Operation
The suspects, identified as Benedict Mwangangi Ngala, Joel Kakuli Mwangangi, Vincent Boaz Owang, Titus Wambua Kathuku, Sylvester Mwanzia Mwanthi, and Erick Omondi Ojwang, are believed to be involved in conspiracy to defraud, forgery of official documents, stamp forgery, creating false documents, and obtaining registration through false pretenses.
Prosecution counsel James Gachoka informed the court that the DCI is actively investigating these individuals for their roles in a large-scale scheme that defrauded numerous investors through fraudulent land purchases and sales. The scheme potentially involves government officials from the State Department of Lands and Physical Planning.
“The court also heard that the suspects are accused of defrauding numerous investors through a large-scale scheme related to land purchases and sales, potentially implicating government officials from the State Department of Lands and Physical Planning,” the ODPP stated.
According to the ODPP, an affidavit sworn by Detective Corporal Nicholas Osuri disclosed that the suspects were found in possession of stamps bearing the names of land registrars, land administrators, land surveyors, and advocates. However, none of the suspects hold these official positions or have any affiliation with these entities.
In a notable development, the prosecution is seeking an ex-parte order to have Joel Kakuli taken to Kenyatta National Hospital to retrieve a memory card he allegedly swallowed during his arrest.
“The prosecution is also requesting an ex-parte order for Joel Kakuli to be taken to Kenyatta National Hospital to retrieve a memory card he allegedly swallowed during his arrest. Preliminary attempts to recover the memory card at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Anti-Narcotic Unit were unsuccessful,” the ODPP explained.
Chief Magistrate Bernard Ochoi is set to deliver a ruling on this application tomorrow, Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Until then, the suspects will remain in custody at Muthaiga Police Station.