Verdict for Mombasa woman linked to American lover murder set – Weekly Citizen

The verdict of a Mombasa woman adversely cited in the planning and eventual murder of her own husband more than four years ago has been set in December.

Amina Shiraz Yacoub

In the thick of things is Amina Shiraz Yacoub, the widow of late Mombasa tycoon Jimmy Jagatram Baburam, who allegedly conspired with her American lover to plan and execute the murder of her own husband

High Court judge Dorah Chepkwony has been hearing the case. State prosecutor Alexander Monda said Yacoub conspired with her American lover Jacob Schmalze to kill Jagatram. According to Monda, the suspect and her fugitive American lover drowned Jagatram in a swimming pool at Medina Palms in Watamu on June 26 2015.

Yacoub is said to have planned the murder in order to inherit Jagatram’s Estate, estimated at Sh500 million, and a further Sh50 million in life insurance cover. A warrant of arrest has been issued against the American, who has since fled the country.

The suspect is accused of being out to influence detective probing Jagatram’s murder, offering Abdi Sheikh – the detective – a Sh45,000 inducement. Already, charged with obstruction of justice, the detective now alleges Yacoub sent her the money as a gift for a religious ceremony.

Lawyer Ahmednassir

On its part, Yacoub’s defence led by lawyers Ahmednassir Abdullahi and Jared Magolo refuted the prosecution’s assertions, alleging witnesses to her husband’s murder were coached by the deceased’s father, David Baburam for purposes of inheriting Jagtram’s estate. Baburam is a former Kenya Defence Forces soldier.

Emmanuel Wafula the night guard at Medina Palms reported to have seen Jagatram drown is one of the witnesses the defence claims has been coached. The defence now alleges Jagatram whom they claim had suffered an epileptic seizure, drowned after falling into the pool while intoxicated, with lawyers Ahmednassir and Magolo maintaining Yacoub’s late husband had a history of alcoholism.

Jacob Schmalzle

Wafula had given a vivid account of how the two suspects drowned Jagatram at around 4 am; through an opening on the fence that surrounded the pool. Yacoub and Schmalze frantically are said to have tried to prevent the witness from raising the alarm upon realising he witnessed the murder, including claims that Schmalze was injured above the eye as he tried to drown Jagatram, who refused to go down without putting up a fight.

To the prosecution, there was overwhelming evidence that the widow conceived and executed an elaborate scheme to kill her husband, ostensibly to – together with her American lover co-conspirator – gain access to his immense wealth.

Jagatram, prior to his death, had learned of his wife’s secret affair with the American lover boy. Upon finding out about the alleged affair, Jagatram reportedly threatened to take away his children with Yacoub, as well as disinheriting her, a move that would potentially bring her flashy lifestyle to an abrupt end.

In the words of the prosecution, a piqued Jagatram at one point confronted Schmalze over the illicit affair. It was then that the American allegedly yielded, apologised and promised to end the relationship.

Ahmednassir insists Wafula’s testimony was at the behest of Jagatram’s father, Baburam, arguing the star witness had changed his testimony many times. The defence accuses Baburam of being maliciously obsessed with inheriting his son’s wealth.

The defence has petitioned the court to expunge the testimony of two witnesses – Ashraf Hassan and Wafula. Yacoub is out on a Sh10 million bond with two sureties. So far, 18 witnesses have testified for the prosecution.