Assets Recovery Agency held the funds on suspicion that they were proceeds of money laundering.
In Summary
• Bernhard Brinke says the frozen cash was his and he has every interest to be a party to the matter.
• In April, the High Court froze several accounts in two banks following an application by the Assets Recovery Agency on suspicion that it was proceeds of money laundering.
A Dutch businessman has asked a court to allow him to join a case where the Assets Recovery Agency was allowed to freeze millions of shillings believed to be proceeds of crime.
Bernhard Brinke says the frozen cash was his and he has every interest to be a party to the matter.
In April, the High Court froze several accounts in two banks following an application by ARA on suspicion that it was proceeds of money laundering.
The accounts belong to Mubadala Merchants, First Cargo Logistics, First Line Capital and Doumbe Malonga Eddy Michel.
But Brinke in his suit papers filed on Tuesday explains that the money belongs to two of his companies namely Mubadala and First Cargo. It was for the purchase of some 500kgs of gold from George Fundu.
Brinke who described himself as the CEO and 100 per cent owner of Mubadala Merchants and First Cargo Logistics resides in the Netherlands. He is also a rally driver.
He says he has considerable interest in a conglomerate known as BTB-Group that is a big business player in housing, industry, investment, leisure, racing and real estate.
For the longest time, he has bought and sold many companies the most notable one being the sale of Bribus holdings B.V dealing with high-end kitchens. He sold it to Nobia A.B for Sh6.2 billion.
With that fortune, he invested in various ventures and even incorporated Mubadala and First Cargo Logistics. His aim was to purchase and sell high-end precious metals among them gold nuggets and ore.
On December 21, 2020, First Cargo Logistics entered into an agreement for the purchase of 500 kilograms of gold from George Fundu.null
His representatives witnessed the smelting of some 50kgs of gold which after payment was given to them for safekeeping in smart ultra-vault.
However, the remaining 450 kgs of gold were not delivered despite sending his representatives to Nairobi. The matter was then reported to the DCI.
He also explained how he shockingly learnt the money transferred to other accounts without his go-ahead. He knew it was in an escrow account held by a lawyer.
First Line Capital allegedly moved Sh49 million to a dollar account held by First Cargo Logistics out of which Sh15 million was transferred to the account belonging to Eddy Doumbe Michel at StanChart.
The monies frozen include Sh36.7 million at Co-op Bank in the name of Mubadala, Sh1.1 million in Standard Chartered in the name of First Cargo Logistics and $32.3 million held at Standard Chartered in the name of First Cargo Logistics.
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