In courts today: Tax evasion case against Keroche to proceed

Wheels of Justice: Court cases lined up for the day

In Summary

•Tabitha who is currently a Nakuru senator has since denied ten counts levelled against her by the State.

•Medical reports tabled in court by Orengo said Karanja was seriously sick and was admitted to Karen Hospital.

A Nairobi court will today mention and give directions in a Sh14.5 billion tax evasion case against the director of Keroche Breweries Industry Ltd Tabitha Muigai Karanja.

The three-year-old case has been pending at Milimani Chief magistrate's court since August 23, 2020, when it was filed in court.

Tabitha who is currently a Nakuru senator has since denied ten counts levelled against her by the State.

In the case, her husband Joseph Karanja has been removed from the charges after the DPP withdrew charges against him due to his health condition.

 The case will be mentioned by Milimani trial magistrate Esther Kimilu.

Last year their defence lawyer James Orengo informed the court that Karanja has been unwell and his medical condition is serious.

“Your Honour,  Karanja is a senior citizen aged 71, has been unwell and his condition is very serious and complex awaiting surgery," said Orengo.

"We wish to have his name removed from the charge sheet."

Medical reports tabled in court by Orengo said Karanja was seriously sick and was admitted to Karen Hospital.

The hospital later referred Karanja to the UK where he is currently being treated.

Tabitha is out on Sh10 million bail or an alternative Sh5 million bond.

Also in court,  the Sh4 billion LBDA graft case facing former Kisumu speaker Onyango Oloo and others proceeds for hearing today.

Last year, anti-corruption magistrate Eunice Kagure set the hearing dates from November 21 to April 2023 following a consensus from the prosecution and defence counsels.

There will be breaks in between the months.

The case had stalled after two Chinese contractors challenged their prosecution at the Appellate court.

The same was dismissed by Justice Daniel Musinga, Hannah Okwenu and Jamila Mohammed.

They ruled that although Zeyun Yang and Zhang Jing, the directors of Erdemann Property Ltd had an arguable appeal, they failed to show how they will be prejudiced if the trial is not stopped.

They were arraigned before an anti-corruption court in 2019 and charged with graft alongside Oloo, and LBDA managing director Peter Abok among others.

It is alleged that between November 2, 2012, and May 2, 2018,  Abok and his co-accused conspired to commit an offence of corruption fraud leading to the loss of Sh4.5 billion.

A magistrate court will also rule on whether it will detain 10 suspects in a Sh67million graft case for 10 days.

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