A Nairobi court has deferred the plea taking in Sh 53 million gold fraud case until March.
Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu gave the directions after the Director of Public Prosecution requested for more time to review the charges against the eight accused persons.
The accused persons, Samuel Gathuru, Moses Oketch, Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, Elisha Kimbero, Teddy Samora Kowino, Joannis Kaisarios, Mugabe Biriko and Collins Langat did not oppose the application to defer plea taking.
Their bond terms were extended until 6th March 2023 when the case will be mentioned.
The eight are accused of conspiring to defraud Ismail Kolowale Adesina USD 434,100 which is equivalent to Sh 53,828,400.
The court heard that the eight committed the offence on diverse dates between 23rd March and 18th December 2022 at various places in Kenya and outside Kenya, jointly with others not before court.
In addition, the accused persons are charged with obtaining Sh 53,828,400 from Adesina by falsely pretending they were in a position to sell and ship 156 kilograms of gold to Dubai, a fact they knew was false.
Lastly, the accused persons are charged with attempting to obtain from Muthu Siva Sakthi Velu USD 25,000 which is equivalent to Sh 3,175,000 by falsely pretending they were in a position to sell and ship 5 kilograms of gold, a fact they knew was false.
They are alleged to have committed the offence between 2nd and 3rd February 2022 at Bravie Group Limited in Kilimani, Nairobi, jointly with others not before court.
