KRA nabs three company directors in evasion of tax amounting to Sh30m

The onslaught against tax evasion has intensified with the arrest of three directors of companies in Mombasa.

The arrests followed lengthy investigations carried out by KRA’s Investigation and Enforcement Department.

The trio, from second hand car importing firms and a clearing and forwarding firm, were separately charged in court over tax evasion to a total sum of over Sh30 million.

They appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Vincent Adete and released on a Sh100,000 cash bail or an alternative surety bond of Sh1 million after denying the charges.

Said Maridadi, the director of Sas Africa General Trading Limited, was charged that on diverse dated between September 2018 and February 2019 with others not in court knowingly concerned themselves in the fraudulent evasion of duty amounting to over Sh.5.5 million.

Jamal Abdulraham, director of Muzdalifa Clearing and Forwarding Limited was also charged with fraudulently evading a Sh15 million tax.

The court heard that on diverse dates between September 2018 and February 2019 together with others who were not in court, knowingly and fraudulently evaded payment of duty.

Ahmad Karama, the director of Ruthana Motors was also charged with evading Sh 9.5million in taxes.

Kenya Revenue Authority counsel, Moses Ado, informed the magistrate that tax evasion matters are becoming more and rampant and that the court should pose a hefty bond on them.

Ado prayed that the accused persons bail and bond terms should be guided by the constitution.

Another suspect, Hassan Said, who failed to turn up in court, was said to be unwell, according to lawyer, Kinywa Mwaniki, who represented all the directors in court.

Mwaniki had urged the court to release the suspects on reasonable bail terms since they had paid a police bond of Sh20,000.

The magistrate directed that the case be mentioned on November 18th 2019.