A private investigator has been convicted of requesting and receiving a Ksh30,000 bribe from a businessman.
The investigator, who doubles up as the director of Swift Tracing and Company Limited, is said to have received the bribe to shield a businessman dealing with academic books from charges of selling alleged counterfeit books.
The Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed this in a statement on X on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
“Nairobi Anti-Corruption court has convicted Simon Titus Yandi, The Director of Swift Tracing and Company Limited and a private investigator for requesting and receiving a bribe from a businessman. The court heard that he received a bribe of Ksh30,000 from Peter Rukuwa Chege a businessman trading in academic books with the intent that he would not charge him with offences related to the sale of alleged counterfeit books,” ODPP stated.
“Brand-ID Technologies Africa had contracted the accused person to conduct surveillance, investigation, and identification of main counterfeit supplies and booksellers who are involved in the infringements of the rights of the Kenya Publishers Association.”
During the case hearing, it was revealed that despite the elapse of his contract at Brand-ID Technologies, Yandi went on to solicit bribes in the name of undertaking the surveillance.
Yandi was also convicted of mutilating currency contrary to Section 367A of the Penal Code.
Suspect tears bribe notes
According to the prosecution counsel Linda Otieno, Yandi tore six notes all denomination of Ksh1,000 which was part of the Ksh30,000 that was being used as exhibits in the investigation.
“Principal Magistrate Isabellah Barasa ruled that the Prosecution proved it is case beyond reasonable doubt after calling fifteen witnesses,” ODPP added.
Yandi is set to be sentenced on Monday, September 9, 2024.
“The court is set to deliver a sentence on Monday after prosecuting counsel informed the court that the accused person has a previous offence record, which she needed time to produce in court,” ODPP added.
The court has suspended Yandi’s bond terms and directed that he be remanded pending sentencing.