Congolese national accused of defrauding Sh156million from a Chinese woman, threatening her
A Congolese national, Patrick Ilundu Lumumba alias Gabriel Kulonda Ilundu alias Lumumba Patrick Byarufu who is accused of defrauding a Chinese business lady Sh156million is further alleged to have issued threats to her prompting the complainant, Michelle Wu, to resort to seeking to give her testimony from China over fears of possible threats to her life, the has court heard.
The grave allegations came to the fore when the matter came for hearing before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego on October 17,2024.
Through her lawyer, Wu informed the court that she could not appear in person since her life is in danger and hence sought to be allowed to testify virtually from China.
In the matter, Lumumba accused of obtaining USD 1million (approximately Sh156million) from Yingchen (Shenzhen) International Trade Company Limited by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell to the company 84 metric tonnes of tantalum niobium ore (tantalite) ferried in container numbers; Segu 2490020, Segu 3374174 and Temu 0281304, a fact he knew to be false.
“For her protection, we pray that she appears virtually from China.” The prosecutor told the court.
However, the defense lawyer Gordon Ogado opposed the application saying she (Wu) afraid to come to Kenya because she has defrauded people of millions of shillings and that there was a warrant of arrest in force against her in Kenya.
Further, Ogado told the court that no evidence had been tendered before court to support the allegations of threat to her life.
According to the defense lawyer, his client made a police report against the Wu over alleged USD 1.8million fraud.
“She is a fugitive and is accused of stealing about USD 2 million.” Ogado submitted.
According to the documents filed in court, Lumumba jointly with us not before court committed the offense on December 26, 2023 in Kenya with intent to defraud.
When the matter came for hearing before Principal Magistrate Alego on October 17, 2024, the matter did not take off.
After a long back and forth argument between the defense counsel and the state on whether the complainant should testify virtually, the magistrate directed that the matter be mentioned on October 22, 2024 so that she can hear the side of the witness before determining whether she will testify physically or virtually.
