The High Court has frozen a bank account with Sh53 million in US dollars belonging to a businessman over links to proceeds of crime.
Justice Diana Kavedza also blocked businessman Anthony Kepha Odiero from transferring or selling to high-end vehicles, for three months.
The judge issued the orders following an application by Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), after investigating the activities in the account at National Bank of Kenya (NBK).
The court prohibited him, his employees or agents from dealing, withdrawing or withdrawing the USD 368,185.77, to allow the agency to file an application for forfeiture of the money and vehicles to the government.
In the ruling, Justice Kavedza ordered Odiero to surrender the Range Rover and Mercedes Benz E250 and their logbooks to ARA, within seven days.
The court at the same time directed Director General NTSA to register caveats against the vehicles.
“The orders shall remain in force for ninety (90) days as provided in section 84 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering,” ruled the judge.
Justice Kavedza directed the matter shall be mentioned on 22nd November for further directions.
“It is in the interest of justice that the orders sought herein be granted as there is an imminent risk that the funds and the motor vehicles sought to be preserved may dissipate,” the agency said in the application.
The agency submitted that Odiero will continue to enjoy the benefits derived from proceeds of crime, unless the court intervened.
The court was informed that on 12th June 2023, the Agency received information on a suspected case of money laundering by Odiero.