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Kenya: DCI Ordered to Return Seized Vehicle to Lawyer Linked to Belgian Millionaire’s Murder

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4 years ago

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The High Court has ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to return a car seized from a lawyer linked to the disappearance and murder of a wealthy Belgian woman.

Justice Daniel Ogembo directed the case investigating officer to release the Toyota Prado (KBP 298E) to lawyer John Hari Gakinya pending the determination of the murder case.

Detectives had seized the vehicle in January last year, saying it belonged to the estate of the late millionaire Dysseleer Mireille Lesoipa, alias Wa Samburu.

The lawyer is being tried alongside Ms Lesoipa’s friend Lucy Waithera Njuguna over her disappearance and murder. They are said to have committed the offence between December 11, 2018 and July 15, 2019.

Justice Ogembo ordered the lawyer never to sell or dispose of the vehicle until the murder case is determined. The vehicle was seized when Mr Gakinya was arrested on March 10, 2020.

Pleading for the release of the vehicle, Mr Gakinya had told the court it was in danger of being vandalised at the police station.

Executor of the will

Mr Gakinya, who has denied the murder charge and is out on bail, said he is the executor of the will of the late Belgian millionaire, whose estate is reported to be worth Sh100 million.

The court also heard that the High Court in Nakuru had on January 16, 2020 given police 21 days to complete investigations and release the vehicle, and those days have long lapsed.

The public prosecutor’s office had opposed the release of the vehicle. Investigators said the vehicle’s documents might have been fraudulently obtained.