Goldenscape boss Peter Wangai arraigned, denies 21 fraud charges
Goldenscape Group founder Peter Wangai Muriithi was on Thursday March 18, arraigned at Milimani Law Courts where he denied 21 charges of defrauding investors over Sh19 million.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku, however, released him on a Sh5 million bond or Sh2 million cash bail with one contact person. The case will be mentioned on April 1.
In one of the charges, the court was told that Wangai obtained money by false pretence contrary to section 313 of the penal code.
"On 28th June 2019 and 3rd January, 2020 at Goldenscape greenhouses Ltd offices at Kimathi House within Nairobi County with intent to defraud, obtained frm Edith Kinya Gitonga a total of Kenyan shillings seven hundred thousand(Ksh700,000) for two greenhouses by falsely pretending that you were in a position to pay her Ksh 275,000," read the charge sheet in one of the charges.
In 20 of the charges, Mr Wangai was accused of defrauding investors by pretending to be in a position to pay Sh275,000 six-month return in ivestments(ROI) for every greenhouse, knowing well it was false.
Mr.Wangai is also said to have issued a cheque worth Sh 275,000 to one of his clients knowing well that his bank account did not have sufficient funds.
Over 1,040 victims of the Goldenscape fraud through their lawyers told the court that Wangai should deposit his passport in court as he was a flight risk.
Several directors have fled the country to South Africa after the company went under, the lawyers said. Wangai's lawyer denied the claims saying Mr.Wangai was the only director of Goldenscape.
Wangai was arrested in March 2020 after numerous people who had invested in his Goldenscape Group green houses cried of fraud.
Additional reporting by Njange Maina
