Written by Joyce Nzomo
A woman has been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi over allegations of defrauding a complainant of more than KSh 36 million.
Lilian Wangui Odwoma, alias Lilian Weru, is charged with conspiring with others not before the court to defraud Elizabeth Wanjiku Muigai of USD 50,000 and KSh 30 million between May 6 and May 20, 2024, in Westlands, Nairobi County.
In the second count, she is accused of obtaining the said amounts from Muigai by falsely claiming she could secure a Standby Letter of Credit from Pacific Concord International FZC in Dubai.
The third count states that between 6 May 2024 and 10 September 2024, Odwoma acquired money which formed part of the proceeds of the crime, knowing or suspecting it to be such, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
In the fourth count, the court heard that during the same period between May 6, 2024, and September 10, 2024 she used the funds by depositing them into two Credit Bank accounts in her name, allegedly to conceal their source, also contrary to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The prosecution told Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego they had no reason to oppose bond but asked the court to set terms relative to the charges. They also prayed for a mention date in two weeks.
Her lawyer, Counsel Swaka, urged the court to grant favourable bail terms, saying his client was not a flight risk since her residence is known. He said she has a cardiac condition and presented documents to the court to show her medical status.
He argued that Odwoma is still presumed innocent under the Constitution and noted that she had been in police custody from the previous afternoon until her court presentation, terming it a punishment.
Swaka urged the court to consider the purpose of bond and said Odwoma’s family, who were in court, could put aside KSh 100,000 and meet any other condition to ensure she attends court.
The magistrate directed that a pre-bail report be prepared and presented on 18 August 2025, when further directions will be given. Odwoma remains in custody.
