By Andrew Kariuki
Three individuals have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts over an alleged Ksh3.8 million fraud involving a purported mercury trading deal.
The accused, Lewis Olemanyasi alias Godana Hamisi, Iren Mueni Antony and Joseph Mutua Maingi, were charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretences and conspiracy to defraud.
According to the prosecution, the complainant reported that on December 13, 2025, she was introduced to what was presented as a lucrative mercury trading venture through a friend.
She was later introduced to Joseph Mutua Maingi, who allegedly presented himself as an associate of a supposed mercury dealer operating in Mombasa.
Two days later, the complainant travelled to Mombasa, where she met an individual identified as Godana Hamisi.
The court heard that during the meeting in Mtwapa, she was shown a bottle purported to contain mercury.
The substance was allegedly packaged and presented as part of the transaction.
The complainant later reported that the bottle did not contain mercury as represented.
In the process of what she believed was securing the consignment, she allegedly transferred and paid a total of Ksh3.8 million through M-Pesa and cash.
Following investigations, detectives arrested Lewis Olemanyasi in Kitui town alongside Iren Mueni Antony, while Joseph Mutua Maingi was apprehended in Kamulu.
When the matter came up before the Milimani court, all three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court released each of them on a cash bail of Kshh500,000 or a bond of Ksh800,000.
The case has been scheduled for pre-trial on February 19, 2026.
