NYS main suspect the Ngirita family to forfeit wealth to state

Assets Recovery Agency wants Ngirita family property forfeited to gov’t

The Assets Recovery Agency on Monday moved to court seeking to have motor vehicles and properties held by the Ngirita family — key suspects in the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal — declared as proceeds of crime.

The agency wants the properties of Phyllis Ngirita, Lucy Ngirita and Jeremiah Ngirita as well as Platinum Credit Limited and Opportunity International-Wedco Limited forfeited to the government.

“It is in the interest of justice that court issues an order that the said assets belonging to the three and which are reasonably believed to be proceeds of crime be forfeited to government and transferred to ARA,” reads court papers.

ARA, in an affidavit, claimed that in May 29, 2018, several suspects and entities were charged with criminal offence and that preliminary investigations established that the three family members received huge amounts of money through their respective entities and personal accounts.

“Upon investigating the bank statements and documents concerning the accounts, the agency established that the three and their business entities and associates received funds fraudulently from NYS split in several transactions,” stated the application.

ARA further claimed that Phyllis received Ksh.57 million in her personal account held at Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) while Ngiwaco Enterprises, reportedly owned by Lucy, received Ksh.109 million through their account in the same bank.

“Investigations revealed that Phyllis was paid by NYS directly to her personal account contrary to procedure. This is a clear case of fraud as there is no evidence of goods or services procured by NYS directly from Phyllis,” argued the agency.

Judge John Onyiego directed that the application be served to the Ngirita’s within 14 days during which they should file their responses.

The case was set for mentioning on April 15, 2019.

ARA also has sought the same orders against James Thuita Nderitu, Flagstone Merchants Limited, Firstling Supplies, Excella Supplies Limited, Betty Omondi, Flagstone Co. ltd and Interscope Tech. Services.

They are further seeking an order declaring funds held in Equity and Standard Chartered bank accounts as proceeds of crime and therefore liable for forfeiture to government.

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