A Milimani Chief Magistrate Court has directed business tycoon Yagnesh Devani to be arrested after he failed to show up in court in a case he is facing of Ksh1.5 billion oil fraud.
The prosecution told Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki this is the second time the tycoon Devani has failed to show up as ordered by court.
Devani was to appear in court for his defense counsel to confirm whether he has been supplied with documentary evidence and other exhibits to be relied upon during trial.
Last month Devani was charged with stealing 318.656 metric tonnes of jet fuel valued at Ksh 1.5 billion belonging to the Kenya Commercial Bank.Devani is accused of using his Company Triton in carrying the business, the court was told.
He went fugitive to the United Kingdom when his co-accused were charged and the court issued a warrant of arrest against him.
He was produced before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki where he denied four charges of stealing.
The prosecution told the court that between 23rd April and 4th December 2008 at Kipevu oil storage facility within Mombasa County, jointly with others before Court, stole 2,000 Metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil valued at USD 215,934, the property of Kenya Commercial Bank.
Trial Magistrate Robinson Ondieki was further told that between 2nd November 2008 and 4th December 2008 at Kipevu oil storage facility within Mombasa County, jointly with others before Court, stole 12,782 Metric tons of Automotive Gas oil valued at USD 7,999,691.39 the property of Kenya Commercial Bank.
Ruth Wamboi
