Two businessmen were on Monday charged afresh with conspiring to defraud a foreign firm of USD 265,200 (approximately Sh38.1 million) in a fake gold deal involving 580 kilograms of non-existent gold.
Steve Okoth Odek and Orao Shikalo, also known as Vincent Oloa Wanton, appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo, where they denied two charges—conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.
According to the charge sheet, the duo, alongside others not before the court, allegedly conspired between February 1 and August 2, 2024, to defraud Asianic Limited by falsely claiming they could supply 580 kg of gold.
“On diverse dates between February 1, 2024, and August 2, 2024, within Nairobi County, you jointly conspired to commit a felony—namely stealing USD 265,200, by falsely pretending you were in a position to sell 580 kilograms of gold,” read part of the charge sheet.
In the second count, the prosecution alleged that between the same dates, Odek and Shikalo continued to obtain the said amount under false pretenses by misrepresenting their ability to sell the gold.
Seeking lenient bail terms, Shikalo told the court he was unemployed and the sole caregiver to his ailing mother.
The court, however, ordered that both accused remain out on their previous cash bail terms, Sh100,000 for Odek and Sh80,000 for Shikalo, until the case is mentioned on September 2 for further directions.
