By The Weekly Vision Correspondent
A university lecturer accused of defrauding a businessman of KSh55.5 million in a fake share deal was arraigned in court on Monday, where he denied all charges related to fraud and money laundering.
George Maina Muriithi, a lecturer at Kenyatta University, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki at the Milimani Law Courts to answer to three serious charges: obtaining money by false pretence, dealing with proceeds of crime, and unlawful acquisition of property.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred between November 15, 2022, and January 1, 2024, within Nairobi. Muriithi, jointly with others not before the court, is accused of convincing a businessman, Martin Gitonga Kamandu, that he was in a position to sell him 48,800 ordinary shares in Mara Ndovu Lodge Limited, a claim that prosecutors say was knowingly false.
The money, totalling KSh55.5 million, was allegedly received through Otieno and Ambrose Advocates, and according to investigators, Muriithi knew or had reason to believe the funds were part of criminal proceeds.
He was further accused of using the funds to acquire properties, again with the knowledge that the money formed part of illicit transactions.
In court, Muriithi pleaded not guilty and appealed for release on bail.
“Your Honour, I am a lecturer at Kenyatta University and a businessman. I am ready to comply with any conditions the court may set,” he stated in his application.
However, the prosecution strongly objected, warning that Muriithi poses both a flight risk and a potential threat to witnesses.
“Your Honour, we oppose the release of the accused person on bond. He is a flight risk and may interfere with witnesses involved in the case,” the state argued.
After listening to both sides, Magistrate Ondieki ordered that Muriithi be held at Capitol Hill Police Station until Tuesday, when the court will issue a formal ruling on the bail application.
