Yasser Abdelwanab Mohammed
A man accused of defrauding a Nairobi businesswoman of Ksh 2.3 million in a fraudulent water filtration project has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted release on cash bail.
Court Appearance
The accused, Yasser Abdelwanab Mohammed, was arraigned before Magistrate Lucas Onyina at the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday. He faced a single count of obtaining money by false pretences, an offence under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Prosecutors allege that between March 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024, within Nairobi County, Mr. Mohammed unlawfully obtained Ksh 2,300,000 from the complainant, Nasra Ibrahim Roble.
Alleged Fraudulent Deal
According to the charge sheet, Mr. Mohammed approached Ms. Roble with what he described as a business opportunity involving the importation and installation of a water filtration machine for her farm. He allegedly assured her that he had both the expertise and connections to procure the machine and oversee its installation.
The prosecution claims that these representations were false and deliberately misleading, designed to induce Ms. Roble into releasing the funds. It is alleged that despite receiving the full amount, the accused neither delivered the promised equipment nor refunded the money.
Denial and Bail Ruling
Mr. Mohammed denied the charge in open court, insisting that he was not guilty of fraud. After entering his plea, his legal counsel applied for his release on bail, arguing that he was neither a flight risk nor in a position to interfere with the ongoing investigations.
The prosecution did not object to bail but requested that the court impose conditions to ensure the accused’s availability during trial.
In his ruling, Magistrate Onyina granted the accused cash bail of Ksh 200,000, noting that the offence, while serious, was bailable under Kenyan law. The case was subsequently scheduled for mention to confirm compliance with bail terms and for the setting of a trial date.
Legal Context
Under Section 315 of the Penal Code, obtaining money by false pretences carries a potential sentence of up to three years in prison upon conviction. The offence is classified as an economic crime, which the courts have repeatedly emphasised undermines public trust in commercial transactions.
Kenya has witnessed a sharp rise in fraud cases in recent years, particularly those involving fictitious business deals, land transactions, and fake tenders. Legal experts note that such scams often target unsuspecting individuals who may lack access to adequate legal or business due diligence.
Next Steps in the Case
The court directed that all parties return on the scheduled mention date to confirm progress in the case. The prosecution is expected to present its list of witnesses, including Ms. Roble, financial records detailing the disputed payments, and any communication exchanged between the complainant and the accused.
If found guilty, Mr. Mohammed could face not only imprisonment but also restitution orders requiring repayment of the defrauded sum.