- Benson Sande Ndeta, a director at Savanna Cement Limited, faces nine counts of forgery and fraud linked to a USD 35 million loan from Absa Bank Kenya PLC.
- Ndeta claims the charges are motivated by business competition after his successful bid for Bamburi Cement.
- Defense lawyer Cecil Miller argued that Ndeta is a victim of industrial rivalry and urged the court to grant lenient bail.
- Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe ordered Ndeta’s detention at Muthaiga Police Station until Monday for a bond ruling.
Benson Sande Ndeta, a prominent industrialist and director at Savanna Cement Limited, has been charged with forgery and fraud involving Ksh 700 million. The charges come amidst claims of foul play linked to his bid for Bamburi Cement Company.
Fraud Allegations and Court Proceedings
Ndeta and co-accused Charles Hills Jr. appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe on charges of obtaining credit by false pretenses. The prosecution alleges Ndeta misrepresented himself as acting on behalf of Savanna Cement Limited to secure a USD 35 million loan from Absa Bank Kenya PLC.
Ndeta denied the charges, which included nine counts of forgery and fraud.
Defense Arguments
Ndeta’s lawyer, Cecil Miller, dismissed the charges as a strategic attack by competitors, emphasizing Ndeta’s contributions to Kenya’s economy.
“Astonishingly, an industrialist can be charged for obtaining a commercial loan to expand businesses and create employment,” said Miller.
The defense argued that Ndeta is not a flight risk due to his family ties and significant investments in Kenya. Miller urged the court to grant his client a lenient cash bail.
Detention
Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe directed that Ndeta be remanded at Muthaiga Police Station until Monday, November 27, 2024, when the court will decide on his bail application.
The case against Benson Sande Ndeta highlights the intersection of business and legal challenges in Kenya’s competitive industrial sector. As the court deliberates on his bond terms, questions remain about the motivations behind the charges and their potential impact on Kenya’s business environment.
