Antony Njuguna before Milimani magistrate court in July 25, 2025.
A Nairobi court has released a businessman accused of defrauding over Sh6 million in a purported business partnership deal.
Anthony Njuguna Chege was on July 25 charged at
the Milimani Law Courts with multiple counts, including obtaining money by
false pretenses and laundering proceeds of crime.
He denied the charges and was freed on a bond of
Sh2 million with a surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of
Sh800,000.
According to the charge sheet, Chege allegedly
obtained Sh6,150,000 from Elizabeth Warui between October 12, 2023, and
November 20, 2024, under the pretense of establishing a business venture.
He reportedly convinced the complainant they
were entering a joint partnership under a company named Emirates Line Packaging
and Imports Limited.
Out of the total amount, Chege is said to have
transacted Sh4,450,000 through two bank accounts—one at Equity Bank and another
at KCB Bank—knowing the money was criminal proceeds.
The charge further stated that he received
Sh950,000 from a Standard Chartered Bank account held by the complainant, which
was later transferred to a KCB account belonging to the same company.
Through his lawyer, Mwende Nditu, the accused
urged the court to consider lenient bail and bond terms.
“The accused has already refunded Sh1 million
to the complainant via a bank transaction and even made an additional payment. This demonstrates his willingness to take responsibility,” said
Nditu.
She added that Chege’s business had suffered
immensely following the allegations and that he was now financially strained.
“He lives in Kasarani, is a father, and the
sole breadwinner of his family,” she told the court.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail
application.
“We are not opposed to the accused being
released on bail, provided the terms are sufficient to ensure his attendance in
court,” the prosecution said.
In her ruling, Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii
Mugo acknowledged the lack of opposition and the submissions made by the
defense.
“This court grants the accused a bond of Sh2
million with a surety of a similar amount, or alternatively a cash bail of
Sh800,000,” she ruled.
The case will be mentioned on August 11, 2025,
for pretrial directions.
