A Nanyuki-based lawyer was today arraigned in court over forgery of sale agreement documents and obtaining Sh8.2 million through false pretenses.
Robert Githaiga was charged with defrauding Charles Njunge Nduati the money on April 7, 2022 in Nanyuki through his Benezeli Properties Limited pretending he was in a position to sell him two houses in Gakawa, Nyeri County.
Appearing before Nanyuki Principal Magistrate, Benson Mararo, Githaiga pleaded with court to grant him a free bond and his frozen accounts be opened to enable him settle the matter with Charles Njunge Nduati, the complainant, however, his requests were declined.
“The accused is advocate of the High Court in Kenya and should have acted professionally. For the complainant to involve the police in a commercial transaction, the accused most likely violated the judicial obligation. Strict bond terms are appropriate to secure the attendance of the accused in court. Accused and complainant are at liberty to settle at their own terms,” directed Mararo.
“It is our intention to settle because we believe that we could stretch the matter on and on while what the complainant wants is the refund of the money,” the accused lawyer said.
The accused spent the night at the Nanyuki police station waiting to be arraigned today when he pleaded not guilty.
“With regards to the transaction I was acting on the instruction of the current complainant. There is no a time that the police have looked for me. I have always presented myself to the police including yesterday on a meeting to settle matters with the complainant,” he said.
According to the charge sheet seen by the media, Githaiga was charged on four counts of forgery of sale agreement on May 27, 2022 purporting to be the original sale agreement of Benezeli Holdings Limited, making and uttering false documents contrary to the penal code.
He was released on a Sh5 million bond and surety of the same amount or Sh3 million cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on July 8, 2022 and hearing on September 1.
