Ten people have been charged with fraud involving a Ksh1 billion land deal in Nairobi, following an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI Land Fraud Investigations Unit.
According to DCI, those charged are Jacob Cartwright Owino, a Registrar of Titles at the Ministry of Lands headquarters, Ardhi House, and Andrew Aseri Kirungu, a Lands Administration officer, who also face charges of abuse of office.
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Also, the scheme involved Owino, Kirungu, Diana Njeri Muiyuro, James Mbote Gicheha, Joseph Njoroge Kimani, Joseph Gichohi Kinyanjui, Gladys Wambui Mwangi, Mohamed Jimale Abdille, Charles Mwangi Waithaka, and George Ndungu Mumbi—attempting to defraud Realty Brokers Limited of a prime land parcel.
Additionally, the statement said the suspects pretended that an allotment letter was genuine document issued by National Land Commission (NLC).
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Presentation of False Documents
“They falsely claimed that an allotment letter, Ref. No.93103, was a genuine document issued by the National Land’s Commission to register the land in the name of Mwadi Women Entrepreneurs Limited,” DCI stated.
Additional charges against the suspects include making false documents and obtaining registration through false pretenses.
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Also Read: KANU Ropes Ruto, Justin Muturi in KICC Land Tussle
Nine of the suspects appeared before Chief Magistrate Hon. Lucas Onyina, pleaded not guilty, and were released on Ksh 100,000 cash bail. Andrew Aseri Kirungu did not appear in court, citing illness.
Barely a week ago, The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had flagged Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi for alleged interference in the recovery of grabbed public land.
Cs Linturi Roped in Ksh500 M grabbed land case
EACC on Thursday, May 30, 2024, said that CS Linturi had filed a notice through the Office of the Attorney General requesting withdrawal of the case filed to recover the land valued at Ksh500 million.
According to EACC spokesperson Eric Gumbi, the Agriculture CS was seeking for withdrawal of the case in a bid to repossess the public land grabbed in Nyandarua County.
Also Read: Fresh Woes for Linturi as His Ministry is Roped in Ksh500M Grabbed Land Case
Ngumbi revealed that Linturi wanted alternative dispute resolution, but the commission shut down the request.
“We have 50 acres of Njambini Agricultural Training Center which is currently in court and the commission is at the moment opposing a move by the attorney general who is seeking to withdraw that case,” said Ngumbi.
The DCI’s Land Fraud Investigation Unit emphasized on their vital role in maintaining the integrity of property ownership and preventing fraudulent activities that threaten property rights, economic stability, and public trust in land transactions.
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