Court Freezes University Student’s Ksh 6M Gifted by Boyfriend
On Friday, the High Court took action regarding a Ksh6 million gift that 23-year-old student Felista Njoroge received from her billionaire Belgian boyfriend and cryptocurrency trader, Merc De Mesel.
In a ruling by Lady Justice Diana Kavedza, the Assets and Recovery Agency was granted permission to seize the money due to suspicions of money laundering associated with the Ksh6 million gift. The judge raised concerns about the source of the funds, which had not been disclosed.
Consequently, Justice Kavedza not only froze the student’s assets but also prohibited anyone acting on her behalf from conducting transactions, withdrawing, or transferring the aforementioned amount. The judge specified that these orders would remain in effect for a period of ninety (90) days, as outlined in Section 84 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
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Additionally, the judge scheduled a mention of the case for November 22, 2023, before Lady Justice Esther Maina, the presiding Judge of the Anti-Corruption Division.
It’s worth noting that the 90-day period can be altered if there is an application for a forfeiture order pending before the court or if a judge issues an order revoking the ruling before the specified period expires.
In 2021, Njoroge gained notoriety when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives intercepted a sum exceeding Ksh100 million sent by her Belgian boyfriend as a gift. The student expressed her dissatisfaction with the court’s decision, asserting that the funds were intended for her personal use.
According to court documents, the Belgian national informed the court that the student was permitted to utilize the funds to secure her and her children’s future, emphasizing that the gift was a manifestation of their affection.
However, De Mesel faced further scrutiny after allegedly sending Ksh257 million to three other women. This prompted the attention of the Assets and Recovery Agency (ARA), which obtained court orders to freeze the funds while investigations were underway.
Court Freezes University Student’s Ksh 6M Gifted by Boyfriend
