The High Court on 2 September 2024 issued orders on freezing a Kenyan woman’s three bank accounts on suspicion that the funds are proceeds of money laundering.
The court granted the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA)’s application to freeze three bank accounts on the specified grounds. One bank account held a total of Ksh4 million, including accrued interest. The second account contained Ksh238,324, while the third account at a microfinance institution had Ksh13,532.
“That preservation orders be and are hereby issued prohibiting the respondent, her employees, agents, servants or any other persons acting on her behalf from transacting, withdrawing, transferring and/or dealing in any manner howsoever in respect of,” read the court ruling.
The court also ordered the woman to surrender the log books to two vehicles — a lorry and a station wagon within seven days.
Empty judge bench at Kisumu High Court
Photo
Judiciary
“That preservation orders are hereby issued prohibiting the respondent, her employees, agents, servants, representatives or any other persons acting on her behalf from selling/ charging/ mortgaging/ transferring/ disposing or any other dealing in any other manner with the motor vehicles,” the court ruled.
Further, the court directed the Director General of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to immediately register a caveat in respect of the said motor vehicles.
Lady Justice Diana Kavedza also directed the woman to surrender the motor vehicles to the Assets and Recovery Agency within seven days.
The orders will remain in force for 90 days as provided in Section 84 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
In the event the lady or her agents fail to obey court orders, she will be cited for contempt and be held liable for imprisonment for a period of not more than six months.
The matter will be mentioned on November 28, 2024.
The court’s decision comes amidst the government’s effort to curb money laundering activities as it seeks to get out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s grey list.
A grey list outlines countries under increased monitoring by the Financial Action Task Force over weaknesses in failing to enforce anti-money laundering regulations.
A photo of money recovered during a raid in Ngara on August 15 displayed on a table.
Photo
DCI
