Law school student charged with impersonation
By Winston Cheseremi Kenya, June 12, 2024
A student at the Kenya School of Law was yesterday arraigned in an Eldoret Court and charged with impersonating an advocate, uttering false documents and conspiring to defraud Sh13 million.
Dennis Cheruiyot who was arrested on June 2, was charged with pretending to be an advocate by administering oaths.
Cheruiyot, who appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Areri, was accused of administering oaths in various agreements including marriages, land sales, financial services between members of the public and various institutions.
Pretended to be an advocate
The charge sheet stated that on diverse dates between August 20, 2021 and May in offices located at Kirem Arcade within Eldoret town with intent to defraud, Cheruiyot falsely pretended to be advocate Nathan Kirui, a commissioner of oaths.
The officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Cheruiyot following a tip off from the victims who he allegedly conned millions of shillings under the pretext of offering them various legal services.
Denied charges
Cheruiyot who was represented by lawyer Ngaira Nabasenge denied all the charges and was released on Sh1 million bond with surety of similar amount
He was also charged with conspiracy to defraud, where the court was told that on diverse dates between May and December 2023 jointly with others not before court at Kirem Arcade, they conspired to defraud Sh13 million the money contributed by Benard Lagat, Silas Imbayi, Michael Mwasame, Sambai Caroline, Abigael Chepkoech, Leah Jelimo, Partick Simiyu and Joshua Kilah.
Cheruiyot was also charged with uttering false documents.
The charged sheet stated that on diverse dates between May and December 2023, he fraudulently forged contract agreements for wealth gain for financial services through Mark Premium Solution firm.
The accused faced charges of forging land sale agreements, affidavits for marriage and land lease agreements.
Police also charged him for refusing to take his finger prints contrary to section 55(5) of National Police act of 2011.
While making an application for his client to be released on bond, Nabasenge told the court that the majority of the charges facing his client were in tandem with his anticipated profession as a law student.
The matter will be mentioned on June 24.