A government agency has moved to the High Court seeking the forfeiture of Sh6.7 million held in bank accounts linked to three people suspected of operating a mobile phone theft syndicate.

The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) says the money is suspected to be proceeds of crime, obtained directly or indirectly from the theft and sale of stolen mobile phones. In court documents, the agency argues that the accounts were also used to launder money by concealing the source and movement of illicit funds.

"The stolen phones undergo minor repairs and reset along Jogoo Road in Nairobi before they are sold to buyers in different parts, including cross-border buyers from Uganda and Tanzania," ARA said.

Stolen phones — A photo of stolen phones recovered in a past operation.

Photo credit: Pool

The agency added that it is in the interest of justice for the funds to be forfeited to the State.

"These funds are suspected to be proceeds from criminal activities related to the theft of mobile phones," it said.

The application follows orders issued in May freezing the funds pending the determination of forfeiture proceedings.

Part of wider network

ARA has moved to the High Court seeking the forfeiture of Sh6.7 million linked to people suspected to be part of mobile phone theft syndicate.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

According to ARA, the accounts are registered in the names of Syllus Musila Kivyatu, Isaac Shamora Aligula and Mourine Adhiambo. Investigators said they received intelligence in November last year linking the three to a wider network involved in the acquisition and sale of stolen mobile phones.

"Preliminary investigations have established that the respondents executed a scheme of money laundering aimed at concealing and disguising the nature, scope and movement of the illicit funds," the agency said in its application.

Court documents show that Mr Musila holds about Sh6 million spread across three accounts at Equity Bank and Co-operative Bank. The remaining funds are held in accounts belonging to Ms Adhiambo and Mr Aligula.

The agency contends that the money is directly linked to the alleged criminal enterprise and should be forfeited to prevent the suspects from benefiting from the proceeds of crime. It says the forfeiture case forms part of a broader crackdown on organised mobile phone theft networks that target members of the public and profit from the resale of stolen devices.

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