A lawyer has been charged with allegedly obtaining over Sh61.8 million from two men by falsely claiming he could supply them with 400 kilogrammes of gold bars.
Alphonce Collins Odoyo Osewe, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Gethi Kibiru and denied the charges.
Osewe is facing six counts, including obtaining money by false pretences, acquisition of proceeds of crime and use of proceeds of crime.
The prosecution alleges that between May 1 and May 9, 2023, Osewe and his co-accused, Patroba Odhiambo Tobias, alias “Ishmael”, jointly obtained USD260,400, equivalent to Sh35.7 million, from Bernard Shiaundu Aete.
According to the charge sheet, the two falsely represented that they were in a position to sell Aete 400 kilogrammes of gold bars, a claim the prosecution alleges they knew to be false.
Osewe is separately accused of obtaining Sh26.1 million from Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi between May 4 and May 5, 2023, by allegedly making a similar false representation concerning the sale of 400 kilogrammes of gold bars.
The prosecution further alleges that Osewe and Tobias acquired and subsequently transacted the USD260,400 allegedly obtained from Aete, knowing or having reason to believe that the money constituted proceeds of crime.
Osewe also faces separate charges of allegedly acquiring and using the Sh26.1 million obtained from Ogunwusi.
However, the prosecution is opposing his release on bond, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arguing that he is a flight risk.
In an affidavit filed in court, investigating officer Corporal Dennis Mugambi said Osewe was initially arrested and released on police cash bail on August 14, 2025, pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and his arraignment.
Mugambi said that after the charges were approved, Osewe was informed of the date on which he was required to appear in court and take plea.
The investigator alleged that despite being aware of the proceedings, Osewe failed to appear in court and ignored several requests and summonses requiring him to attend for plea-taking.
As a result, the court issued warrants of arrest against him.
According to Mugambi, Osewe remained at large until August 4, 2026, when DCI officers arrested him pursuant to the warrants.
The investigating officer told the court that Osewe’s conduct of allegedly accepting police bail and subsequently failing to attend court demonstrated an intention to evade the legal process.
The prosecution also said Osewe had on several occasions claimed that he was out of the country when he was required to attend court.
Mugambi said investigators were awaiting his travel records from the Directorate of Immigration Services to verify his movements during the period in question.
The officer further stated that investigators had visited Osewe’s former rental residence in an attempt to trace him, but were informed that he had moved out and his whereabouts were unknown.
The DCI consequently argued that Osewe’s previous failure to attend court, the outstanding arrest warrants and the fact that his current permanent place of abode was allegedly unknown presented a risk that he could abscond again if released on bond.
The prosecution asked the court to deny him bond and order that he remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The accused was ordered to remain at Kilimani Police Station pending a ruling on his bail terms, which is expected on 6th August 2026.
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