Businessman charged with conspiracy to defraud Ksh.30 million

According to the charge sheet, between May 6th and 30th, 2024, Lukah allegedly conspired with others, yet to be named in court, to defraud Mungai in Westlands, Nairobi County. Lukah pleaded not guilty and was released on a cash bond of Ksh. 3 million.

In her statement filed in court, Mungai explained that her first meeting with Lukah was on March 27, 2024 at One Africa Credit Bank’s headquarters, where he was introduced as an experienced contact to handle a trade finance assignment.

Mungai claims that after several meetings, Lukah informed her that the bank could not directly handle the assignment but had external agents to facilitate the leasing of financial instruments. She was later introduced to another contact who allegedly managed the paperwork.

The complainant says Lukah instructed her to deposit a substantial amount to demonstrate her commitment. She reportedly borrowed money from her Development Bank account and deposited 30 million shillings into One Africa Credit Bank on April 12, 2024, before being asked to place the funds in a fixed deposit.

Mungai alleges that payments, including a 4% commission on a USD 7,250,000 instrument, were directed to a separate account rather than the bank. However, the supplier of the instruments rejected them three days later, citing the lack of SWIFT arrangements with the supposed issuer, Ace Investments Bank.

She further claims that after repeated follow-ups, all her contacts became unreachable, and Lukah communicated only sporadically via WhatsApp. It was only after a month that she realized she had been defrauded, prompting her to report the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The case will return to Milimani Law Courts for further hearing.