A lawyer has been charged with receiving over KES 71.8 million through tricks from two gold dealers three years ago.
Mr Alphonce Collins Odoyo Osewe, who was detained in prison custody until August 6, 2026, had allegedly failed to take plea in the case for one year.
Mr Osewe, prosecuting counsel Hilary Isiaho said the accused who is jointly charged with Patroba Odhiambo Tobias alias Ishmael, was being sought by police.
“There has been a pending warrant of arrest against the accused for almost a year since August 2025, almost a year,” Mr Isiaho stated.
The prosecutor said summons and warrants of arrest against the accused had been issued.
Stated Isiaho, “Police arrested the accused from Milimani Law Courts when he appeared alongside other lawyers to defend Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia on August 5, 2026.”
The magistrate heard the advocate was brought to court on a warrant of arrest that has been awaiting execution.
He was accused of tricking Messrs Bernard Shiaundu Aete and Adeyeye Enitan Ogwunusi to give him a total KES 71,837,296 from the international gold traders between May 1-9, 2023 alleging he was to deliver to each one.
Mr Osewe denied before Nairobi Milimani Law Courts chief magistrate Mr Gethi Kibiru that he allegedly defrauded the two complainants the colossal sum.
From Mr Aete, Milimani law courts chief magistrate Mr Gethi Kibiru heard Mr Osewe allegedly received fraudulently USD ($) 260,400 (KES 35,737,296).
And from Mr Ongwunusi, the accused allegedly received KES 26,100,000 alleging he was in a position to sell to him 400 kgs of gold, a fact he knew to be false.
He was accused of receiving and using proceeds of crime knowing the money was illegally acquired.
The alleged fraud was committed between May 1 and May 9, 2023, within Nairobi.
When he allegedly obtained the money, the prosecutor Hilary Isiaho said, Mr Osewe claimed he was in a position to sell to each one of the two international businessmen 400 kilogrammes of gold.
Mr Isiaho told the court that the advocate knew very well that he was not in a position to supply the precious jewellery to Mr Aete and Mr Ongwunusi.
The accused applied to be released on bond which was vehemently opposed by Mr Isiaho saying he has skipped court for one year leading to a warrant of arrest to be issued against the advocate.
The court heard police could not trace the accused as he shifted from his residence.
However, in rebutting the advocate said he fell sick and travelled to India twice.
Osewe asked the magistrate not to allow to be swayed by the prosecution since his overseas travel history and medical records are available.
“I am not a flight risk as the prosecution wants to imagine. I had sent information to former chief magistrate Lucas Onyina that I was indisposed and flown to India for treatment,” Osewe defended himself.
He added that he is an advocate and cannot peddle lies to the court regarding his health status.
Mr Osewe told the court he did not move from his Kileleshwa residence and police know his place.
“Upon return from India, I presented myself to court and I was informed the case had been listed for hearing on August 12, 2026,” Mr Osewe stated.
He urged court to free him on bond based on humanitarian grounds saying he had been unwell and sought treatment overseas.
The magistrate reserved his ruling for August 6, 2026.
Meanwhile the court ordered police to return the KES 50,000 cash bail which the accused had been released.
The investigating officer handed over the cash to Mr Osewe before he was escorted to custody.
