'Dirty money' lands Kenyan tycoon in Dar court

Written by FAUSTINE KAPAMA.

KENYAN tycoon Donbosco Ooga Gichana, appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday charged with conspiracy and money laundering.

The prosecution told the court that accused is a wealthy and an influential person in Kenya, with connections to various politicians including former prime minister Raila Odinga.

It was alleged that between November 2009 and August 2000, within the city of Nairobi in Kenya, the Municipality of Arusha and Dar es Salaam, Gichana (34) conspired with other people, who were not in court  to commit an offence of money laundering.

The prosecution further told the court that within the same period and places, "for the purposes of disguising the illicit origin, did transit to Arusha US Treasury checks amounting to US$4,940,363.25 (about 7.9bn/-)."

According to the prosecutor, the amount was deposited in account number 02J1036325000 maintained by Moyale Precious Gems Mineral Enterprises at CRDB Bank PLC, Meru Branch in Arusha and forwarded to CRDB Brach PLC Headquarters in Dar es Salaam.

It was alleged that after such deposit, the money was processed for encashment, while the accused person knew that the checks were the proceeds of forgery, which is an offence.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Emilius Mchauru, the accused was not allowed to enter any plea to the charges as his case will be tried by the High Court. He was remanded until April 18, when the case will be mentioned. Principal State Attorney Oswald Tibabyekomya informed the court that investigations into the case have not been completed.

Source: Daily News (11/04/2013): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/16308-dirty-money-lands-kenyan-tycoon-in-dar-court