The Assets Recovery Agency wants the court to issue a seizure on a Sh 27 million luxury car imported to Kenya by a Congolese businessman believed to be involved in money laundering.
Jean-Paul Tshikangu Musangu, a Congolese and holder of a Belgian passport living in Kenya imported a Bentley Bentayga which is currently at the Mombasa Port awaiting clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
ARA wants the court to order forfeiture of the vehicle to the government on grounds that it is proceeds of crime.
“There are reasonable grounds and evidence demonstrating that the motor vehicle held by the respondent and the interested party is direct or indirect benefits or profits of crime obtained from a complex money laundering scheme,” ARA officer Mohamed Adow said.
Sh 287 million frozen
In December, the High Court froze more than Sh 287.2 million in three bank accounts and a Mercedes Benz belonging to Musangu and an associate known as Venan Ma-Mabiala Mabiala, believed to be part of a money laundering scheme.
The money includes USD. 1,747,105.15 (apprx Sh 55,704,671.66) held at Stanbic Bank Limited in the name of Groupe Elykia Limited.
Additionally, there is another USD. 305,950.87 (apprx Sh 34,847,804.09) at Stanbic in the name of Jean-Paul Tshikangu Musangu and USD. 488,423.25 (apprx Sh 199,257,342.36) in the name of Mabiala.
The duo are directors of Groupe Elykia limited, a company that allegedly deals in timber.
However, Groupe Elykia does not have an office or registered address in Kenya.
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Groupe Elykia allegedly received $ 5 million from one Dmitri of Vandome Company in October for the purchase of timber, which they are yet to supply.
ARA added that an analysis of one of the accounts showed that a company known as Car Warehouse Ltd, received Sh 39.7 million on 16th November from Groupe Elykia for the purchase of two high-end motor vehicles; a Mercedes Benz and Bentley Bentayaga.
The Mercedes Benz has already been imported into Kenya and delivered to Musangu.
