The High Court in Mombasa froze accounts belonging to seven people accused of dealing in wildlife trophies without a licence.
High Court Judge Martin Muya on Tuesday ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to freeze the accounts of the accused and to also seize their vehicles.
The seven are Abdulrahman Sheikh, Musa Jacob Lithare, Nicholas Mweri, Sheikh Mahmoud Abdulrahman, Samwel Bakari Jefwa, Sheikh Abdulrahman and Samuel Mundia.
They are facing charges of allegedly dealing in ivory without a licence from the Kenya Wildlife Service.The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had filed an application before the court to have their accounts frozen. They are alleged to have exported 3,127 kilogrammes of ivory to Thailand on March 15 and May 20 in Mombasa County.
The DPP through Prosecution Counsel Jami Yamina asked Judge Muya to restrain the accused from accessing their bank accounts pending the hearing and determination of their case. Yamina said the assets are proceeds from the illegal trade.
The prosecution argued that the accused had failed to explain how they acquired the property and millions of shillings in their accounts.
“Investigations are ongoing and we have reasons to believe that the money and assets are proceeds of crime and tax evasion,” said the prosecution.
The accused however through their lawyers Jared Magolo and Gikandi Ngibuini asked the court to dismiss the application by the prosecution saying their clients earned their money legally.
The case will be heard on September 2.