By Lauryne Akoth
Nashon Otieno Angudha, a prime suspect implicated in a string of fraudulent activities targeting both local and international gold traders, was arraigned today at Milimani Law Courts.
His arraignment follows his arrest on Tuesday evening for allegedly deceiving a businessman into parting with Sh35 million in a counterfeit gold deal.
The 28-year-old allegedly defrauded the victim by persuading him into a fictitious gold transaction for export to Dubai, under the guise of transportation and insurance fees. The well-calculated scheme spanned from July 13th to October 18th, 2023.
Despite receiving $250,000 in US currency, purportedly for the gold’s expenses, the victim was left disheartened when the nine gold bars provided as collateral were found to be devoid of any trace of the precious metal upon examination by the Ministry of Mining.
Following this discovery, Nashon vanished, leaving the defrauded businessman in distress, prompting him to seek legal intervention.
Acting on intelligence, detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) conducted a covert operation at Crystal Spring Apartments in Lavington, Nairobi, leading to Nashon’s apprehension in his KDM 523Q Toyota Prado. Substantial evidence, including radio sets and chequebooks, was confiscated from the vehicle.
Nashon appeared before court no. 5 today, facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and has been detained until Friday, 12th April 2024, pending bond determination.
The prosecution opposed his release on bond, citing Nashon’s prior criminal history, particularly his involvement in a violent robbery case at Kibera court no. 5.
In this incident, Nashon, along with two accomplices, allegedly robbed a foreign couple of over USD 90,000 during a gold-related business venture.
In another incident on October 28, 2023, Nashon Otieno, along with Jack Ouma Okwiri and Felix Ochieng’ Nyongesa, reportedly deceived an Australian man and his Ugandan wife at an office set up in Runda suburbs before assaulting and robbing them. The gang later on dumped the couple at Rehema House in Nairobi CBD.
The trio was later apprehended at the Social House Nairobi Hotel in Lavington and charged with robbery with violence at Kibera Law Courts on November 9, 2023.
They were granted bail set at Sh1 million or an alternative of Sh300,000 cash bail.