A Benin national suspected to be involved in a Sh 700 million gold scam has been released on bail pending conclusion of investigations.
Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina released Salem Frejus Hector Joyau Ahossi on a Sh 400, 000 cash bail with one contact person.
Ahossi will also be required to be reporting to the investigating officer once a week and when required to do so.
The court also ordered that his passport be retained by the investigating officer and the Benin Embassy be informed of the same so that he does not obtain a replacement.
This is after prosecution informed the court that the investigating officer is yet to complete investigations since he has to travel to several countries.
According to the prosecution, the investigating officer requested for an additional 14 days to complete investigations.
The court heard that the investigating officer travelled to Ghana where a petition was filed on 31st October 2024 seeking orders to allow investigation of the bank account where the money was deposited.
“This information will be crucial so that the investigating officer can forward the file to the DPP to prefer charges against the respondent,” the prosecution said.
The court heard that whole process would take about 14 days.
In addition, the state submitted that should the court be inclined to release Ahossi on bail, he should surrender his passport and report to the DCI twice a week.
The state had also applied that the respondent provides a contact person and a fixed place of abode where he will be residing pending conclusion of the matter.
Ahossi, who is a Canadian resident, was arrested in Nairobi on 25th October 2024 after a complaint was filed by the complainant who is also a Canadian resident.
Investigating officer Sergent Charles Odhiambo told the court that the matter was reported to Capitol Hill Police Station on the 27th September, 2024 by one Maxime Harouna Sawadogo in the company of Atinho Dassoundo.
The suspect is alleged to be involved with an international fraud syndicate where foreign nationals have lost their money after being lured into investment opportunities.
Ahossi is alleged to have defrauded the complainant more than USD 5.2million (apprx. Sh 700 million) after luring him into a non existent gold buying deal.
The case will be mentioned on 21st November 2024.
