Thelma Osatohanmwen
A businesswoman, identified as Faith Ndiwa, has been charged with allegedly scamming a Nigerian bank CEO, Jude Olabayo Veracruz, of Ksh 25 million (approximately ₦262 million).
Ndiwa, who appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, is accused of using the name of Kenya opposition leader Raila Odinga to facilitate the scam.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) presented that Ndiwa, through her companies Ashley Dylan Limited and Faizel Limited, deceived Veracruz into investing in a purported tender to supply Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
She allegedly forged a framework contract and an amendment to bolster her claims, convincing Veracruz that the contract was for Odinga’s son-in-law, who needed financial assistance to complete the deal.
Between June and December 2022, Ndiwa allegedly obtained the money from Veracruz in Nairobi County under false pretenses, promising profits upon payment of the Ksh 25 million.
She faces eight counts, including forgery, falsifying contract documents, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Ndiwa has denied all charges.
The prosecution opposed her release on bond, requesting additional time for the police to file an affidavit detailing reasons for denying bail.
Ndiwa’s defense argued for her release, citing her constitutional right and asserting she was not a flight risk.
Magistrate Shitubi sided with the prosecution, ordering Ndiwa’s detention in Lang’ata Prison until a bail hearing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that Ndiwa’s arrest followed an incident in May 2022, where she visited Guarantee Trust Bank to seek financial advice from Veracruz. Claiming to have Ksh 70 million in her account, she later requested financial assistance for her mother’s medical bills. When questioned about the Ksh 70 million, she claimed it was used to purchase a house in Karen. Subsequently, she secured a loan of Ksh 8 million from the bank.
A month later, Ndiwa contacted Veracruz again, this time purporting to represent Odinga’s son-in-law, who had allegedly secured a Ksh 19 million tender for LLINs supply to KEMSA. It was later discovered that Ndiwa had presented herself to the DCI Nairobi area with a job card falsely indicating she was a physician for the Kenyan First Lady.