A Norwegian national, John B. Solheim, is seeking justice after losing over Sh 52 million to alleged gold scammers.
The aggrieved man held a press briefing outside Milimani Law Courts, stating that between August 18, 2023, and December 8, 2023, he made multiple deposits from his personal bank account in Norway into Dennis Onyango & Associates’ accounts, totaling USD 403,097.
Solheim claims that since depositing the funds with lawyer Onyango for a gold business venture, he has never been contacted by the respondent or given any authority regarding the expenditure of the money, as the proposed purposes for which the funds were deposited have not materialized.
“I have asked the respondent to return my money since there is no further reason for the respondent to hold onto these funds for me, nor does there exist any legal basis for the respondent to retain the funds,” he said.
Through his lawyers Felix Keaton Kiprono, Vincent Yegon, and Abdirizack, Solheim says the matter filed at Milimani Commercial Division has been dragging on for over a year.
Lawyer Yegon said that Onyango has failed, refused, and neglected to return the funds. Their concern is that Onyango might have misused the money without their client’s authority, thereby jeopardizing his business and causing massive financial loss.
“The money is allegedly held in the respondent’s accounts at Stanbic Bank Kenya’s Chiromo branch,” added Yegon.
Onyango, who is a lawyer, is alleged to have presented false documents to Solheim and even forged documents purporting to be from Barclays Bank. Kiprono says that Onyango forged a letter claiming it originated from the bank, but the bank has denied these claims.
“I have continued to suffer huge financial losses and setbacks as a result of non-payment or refund of my money,” said Solheim.
The complainant reiterates that after depositing the funds with Onyango for the gold business, he never contacted him or gave any authority regarding the expenditure since the proposed purposes have not materialized.
“The respondent has failed, refused, and neglected to return the USD 403,097 (Four Hundred and Three Thousand and Ninety-Seven United States Dollars),” he stated.
Pending the hearing and determination of this application, Solheim wants the court to compel Barclays Bank to provide account statements. He also seeks to have the court freeze the account and stop any utilization or transfer of the money.
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