Suspect in Ksh50 Billion Theft Who Vanished Into Thin Air

Inside the precincts of a Kenyan court
Inside the precincts of a Kenyan court
File

 The multi-billion Anglo Leasing corruption scandal where about Ksh50 billion ($600 million) of Kenyan taxpayers was stolen appears to be far from over after the state was unable to produce a key suspect - nearly seven years after the heist was carried out. 

This after the prosecution on Tuesday, January 26, 2020, failed to produce one Brian Mills -  the suspected mastermind in the case who is said to be associated with Anglo Leasing Finance Limited.

Appearing before magistrate Felix Kombo, the prosecution was unable to reveal the whereabouts of one Brian Mills. Efforts to get to know him and his whereabouts through Kenyan government officials have also proved futile.

Anglo Leasing Scandal hearing held on Tuesday, January 26, 2020.
Anglo Leasing Scandal hearing held on Tuesday, January 26, 2020.
Twitter

Present during the January 26 trial were Deepak Kamani, former PS Dave Mwangi and former Head of Debt Management at the Treasury David Lumumba Onyonka

The case had in 2005 fallen apart after the prosecution failed to present enough evidence that could lead to a successful prosecution. However, with the aid of foreign governments, accounts of suspects and offshore offices produced documentation that sustained the case.

On March 4, 2015, during the trial of former Finance Minister Chris Obure, among senior officials charged in the case, Magistrate Hellena Ndung'u issued international arrest warrants for Bradley Beckenfield, thought to reside in the US, and Brian Mills. Both believed to be connected to the scandal.

 

According to a report by the BBC in March 2015, Anglo Leasing Finance was paid about Ksh3.3 billion ($33 million) to supply and install a digital passport issuing system at the Department of Immigration and supply and installation of forensic science laboratories for CID.

Other phantom companies involved in the scheme had been contracted to supply naval ships. None of the contracts was honoured.

Progress was made in the case after about Ksh201 million suspected to have been proceeds of the scandal was frozen in Swiss accounts as reported by Business Daily on July 4, 2018.

Perhaps one of the biggest scandals in the history of the country, it roped in top officials of the President Mwai Kibaki era. They included former Vice-President Moody Awori, former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru and former Finance minister David Mwiraria.

Anglo Leasing Scandal hearing held on Monday, January 25, 2020.
Anglo Leasing Scandal hearing held on Monday, January 25, 2020.
Twitter
  • . . . .