SEEJ-AFRICA Notes: The order made by Lady Justice Diane Kavedza pertains to a seizure of 69. 2 kg of ivory and arrest of four men on October 6th, 2021 at Ol Jogi Conservancy. The matter is still before Nanyuki Law Courts and can be followed at E2189/21_NAN
Court freezes car, residential flat belonging to televangelist Burugu
by SHARON MWENDE
March 6th, 2024
The High Court in Nairobi has frozen the ownership of a vehicle and a block of residential flats at Mathare North Commercial Zone belonging to televangelist Jackson Mbugua Burugu.
Justice Diana Kavedza issued the orders following an application by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA).
She further directed that the logbook to the Mercedes Benz be surrendered within seven days of February 29, 2024.
Further, she directed the Director General National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Chief Land Registrar and the Nairobi County Land Registrar to register caveats with respect to the vehicle and land parcel respectively.
“That an order be and is hereby issued directing all rental income accruing from the parcel of land and development to be paid to the applicant’s (ARA) bank account for preservation during the period which these orders are in force,” she added.
The orders are to remain in force for 90 days as per Section 84 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
The section stated that “A preservation order shall expire 90 days after the date on which notice of the making of the order is published in the Gazette unless there is an application for a forfeiture order pending before the court in respect of the property subject to the preservation order; there is an unsatisfied forfeiture order in force in relation to the property subject to the preservation order; or the order is rescinded before the expiry of that period.”
The orders sought by ARA are in connection with a case of poaching that is pending in court.
In the said case, Burugu, David Ndiritu, Jacob Lusu and Daniel Kibe are accused of dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered species without permits.
A charge sheet presented before the Nanyuki Law Court states that the men were on October 6, 2021, at around 4 pm, found dealing in four elephant tusks weighing approximately 69.2kgs.
The alleged offence is said to have taken place at Oljogi Conservancy in Laikipia County.
ARA told the High Court that Burugu has laundered money to the tune of millions of shillings from the sale of wildlife trophies and sandalwood harvesting.
Justice Kavedza directed that the case be mentioned on May 27, before Justice Esther Maina.
