By Andrew Kariuki

Fresh details emerged in the ongoing trial of Brian Reeves Obare after a Standard Chartered Bank official shed light on the operation of a bank account linked to transactions at the centre of an alleged Ksh50 million Canadian visa scam.

The testimony was given before Senior Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai at the Milimani Law Courts, where Obare is facing charges related to allegedly obtaining money through false pretences. He has denied the accusations.

Taking the stand, Standard Chartered Bank officer Amos Wambua told the court that the disputed account was opened in 2022 in the name of Nancy Odhungo as an individual account. He explained that the account was subsequently utilized by a company under an agency commission arrangement in line with established company procedures.

Wambua’s evidence came during cross-examination by defence counsel Lewis Kanyoko, who sought to challenge the circumstances under which the account was opened and operated.

According to the prosecution, Obare allegedly posed as a Canadian consular official and received millions of shillings from individuals seeking assistance in securing Canadian visas. The prosecution contends that the money was obtained through fraudulent representations.

During the hearing, the defence questioned details associated with the account, arguing that the email address and phone number connected to it belonged to a director of Golden Key Company. Counsel maintained that this raised concerns about the true ownership and management of the account.

However, evidence presented before the court indicated that when the account was established in 2022, Golden Key was operating as a registered business name and had not yet been incorporated as a limited liability company.

While the defence challenged the account’s operation and ownership structure, questions surrounding the movement of funds through the account remained central to the proceedings. The court heard that millions of shillings were received through the account, but no explanation was offered regarding the purpose of the transfers or the basis upon which the funds were allegedly received.

The defence further argued that the account’s operation by company employees raised concerns. In response, testimony before the court indicated that employees were permitted, under company policy and their employment agreements, to operate personal accounts as commission agents. It was argued that such an arrangement was authorised and did not, on its own, constitute wrongdoing.

The matter remains before the court as proceedings continue and further evidence is presented regarding the alleged visa-processing scheme and the financial transactions connected to the case.