March 16th, 2023, Kahawa Court,(virtual): Today was scheduled to set a date for the first hearing. It was confirmed for defence advocate that the accused’s cash and mobile phones, seized at the time of arrest, had been returned…..
Overview
On Wednesday evening, November 16th, 2023, Yang Changgui, a 58 year old Chinese national, was found dead in his Lavington (Nairobi) apartment. His death had been reported by a Vietnamese female, Hoang Thi Diu.
Investigating authorities found in the apartment a number of game trophies and other evidence of wildlife trafficking including: 80 cut pieces of ivory weighing 145 kg, 2 worked pieces of ivory, 2 rhino horn weighing 4.2 kg, 116 lion claws, 65 lions teeth and electric saw.
Hoang Thi Diu was subsequently charged with offences under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.
Court Updates
Presiding Magistrate: Hon. Boaz Maura Ombewa – Senior Principal Magistrate
State Counsel: Kelvin Kamau
Defence Counsel: Kenneth Kinyua/Edwin Motari Oguti
ACCUSED:
- Hoang Thi Diu
CHARGED:
- Dealing in wildlife trophy contrary to Section 92(2) of the WMCA (2013) to wit: on the 16th November at Sunshine Court, Lavington, Nairobi County, with others not before the court, was found dealing in wildlife trophies as described with a street value of ksh 20,000,000 without a permit.
March 16th, 2023 (Mention): Today was scheduled to set a date for the first hearing. It was confirmed for defence advocate that the accused’s cash and mobile phones, seized at the time of arrest, had been returned to her on January 27th, 2023. Chief Inspector Inoti, the IO, also confirmed that the seized cash had gone towards the accused’s cash bail. There is no indication yet as to how much that was. First hearing date set for May 2nd, 2023.
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March 15th, 2023 (Mention): This was set to take pre-trial directions and set a trial date. The court was unable to get defence counsel virtually so will be mentioned virtually tomorrow (March 16th) to set a trial date.
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December 28th, 2022 (Mention): Unknown activity
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November 28th, 2022 (Arraignment): Hoang Thi Diu pleads not guilty.
Puzzle of dead Chinese man, 78 pieces of ivory recovered at his Lavington apartment
By Amina Wako Nation Media Group
Thursday, November 17, 2022
A Chinese national has been found dead in Nairobi with an assortment of game trophies recovered in his apartment.
According to a police report released on Wednesday evening, Yang Changgui’s lifeless body was found at a house in Sunshine Court within Lavington’s Valley Arcade area.
“The deceased, 58, had a visible mark of surgery scar at the pelvis but no other visible injuries. Some medicines were also recovered at the scene,” the police report read in part.
The matter was reported to the Muthangari police station by Hoang Thi Diu, another Chinese national.
Upon conducting a search of the house, police recovered 78 pieces of elephant Ivory, two pieces of rhino horns, two pieces of ivory sculptures, a piece of animal skin, 65 pieces of lion teeth and 160 pieces of lion claws.
Also recovered were three sets of communication gadgets, two sets of stamps belonging to Hua Xoang Development Limited and a seal belonging to Huang Xiang Development Limited.
Also at the scene were two phones (Lenovo and Huawei), a printer, two Stanbic Bank cheques and an electric saw.
The body of the deceased was moved to Chiromo mortuary pending an autopsy as investigations into the matter continue.
ambuthia@ke.nationmedia.com
