UK to Deport Yagnesh Devani over Triton Oil Scam

A Kenyan tycoon living in the United Kingdom (UK), Yagnesh Devani, is facing deportation after he was put on the spot over the Sh7.6 Billion Triton petroleum scandal.

Outgoing Attorney General (AG), Githu Muigai, confirmed the deportation plans adding that the move was made possible by the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Guidelines launched at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday.

Devani will be deported to face fraud and corruption charges in Kenya.

"My office will continue to support international cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime, corruption and money laundering.

"Regional and international cooperation is critical for any nation to combat transnational crimes,” Githu stated.

[caption caption="Yagnesh Devani (Facebook)"][/caption]

Devani, who was a director of Triton Petroleum Limited, was accused of illegally releasing oil company’s stock of fuel from the Kenya Pipeline Company’s storage tanks without informing the financiers.

He applied for asylum in the UK in 2016 after he exhausted all legal avenues to stop his extradition to Kenya.

He had sought refuge in Britain after claiming that Kenyan prisons are deathtraps.

Nonetheless, AG Muigai refuted the allegations claiming: "Of course, our prisons are not five- star hotels, but our British counterparts can attest that they are indeed habitable.”

The Mutual Legal Assistance Act, which was enacted in 2011 emphasise Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation in criminal matters.

AG Muigai also expressed hope that his successor will process such requests without being hobbled by excessive bureaucracy.

[caption caption="Githu Muigai, British High Commissioner Nic Hailey and EACC boss Halakhe Waqo (Twitter)"][/caption]

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