A politician from Turkana County has found himself in the eye of a legal storm, facing allegations of gold and mercury fraud.
In a statement shared by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Thursday, March 28, Simon Ekai Ewoi, the accused politician, is accused of obtaining Ksh24,263,780 under pretences connected to the gold and mercury business.
Ewoi faced four counts of obtaining money by pretences, as outlined in Section 313 of the penal code.
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ODPP said the court was informed that Ewoi and his associates purportedly acquired the sum from four complainants by deceitfully saying they could sell gold and mercury to them.
"A Turkana county politician has been charged today before a Mombasa court with obtaining Ksh 24,263,780 by false pretences connected to the gold and mercury trade. Simon Ekai Ewoi was arraigned before Senior Resident Magistrate Hon. David Odhiambo to face four counts of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 313 of the penal code. The court heard that the accused and his accomplices obtained a total sum of Ksh 24,263,780 from the four complaints by falsely pretending that he was in a position to partner with them in the gold and mercury trade," the statement from the ODPP read in part.
Ewoi, however, entered a plea of not guilty to all charges levelled against him.
Politician detained for 14 days
Senior Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo opposed his immediate release on bail, citing ongoing police investigations.
The magistrate ordered the politician's detention for 14 days at the Central Police Station to facilitate the completion of the investigation process.
The court further directed that the politician be presented before the court on April 8, 2024.
He would then be eligible for release upon posting a Ksh7 million bond, supported by a surety of equivalent value, along with two guarantors providing clear details of their residences.
"The accused pleaded not guilty to all counts, with Senior Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo opposing his immediate release on bail since he was under further police investigations. In his ruling, the trial magistrate ordered Ewoi to be detained for fourteen days at the Central Police Station to allow detectives to complete their investigation. The court directed that he be produced in court on 8th April 2024, where he would be released on a Ksh 7 million bond with a surety of similar amount and two guarantors with clear details of their residences," the statement read further.
