Detectives in Nairobi are investigating a Comorian accused of fleecing a fellow citizen out of more than Sh1 million under the guise of securing her overseas employment.
Milimani Law Courts Magistrate Joan Mati heard that the suspect, Abdillah Abbas Hamidou, lured Charmila Said, who had travelled to Kenya for medical treatment, with promises of securing her a job and facilitating her travel to France.
The court heard that Hamidou claimed to work at the French Embassy and used that supposed position to extort money from Said and other Comorian nationals.
Said allegedly transferred $8,000 through MoneyGram to his M-Pesa number on diverse dates. When she arrived in Kenya, he accommodated her in his house.
“While living in the respondent's house, the complainant asked him when her plans to travel would happen but he instead instructed her to continue staying in his house where he begun making sexual advancements,” investigating officer Corporal Joseph Karanja stated in his supporting affidavit.
“He demanded to sleep with her which she refused and the respondent took a knife and threatened to kill her and throw her body in the river.”
Investigators noted that when the woman inquired about the progress of her travel arrangements, the situation deteriorated rapidly into harassment and threats.
Authorities allege that the suspect masqueraded as a French Embassy employee to exploit multiple foreign nationals.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations sought to hold the suspect for 14 days, saying they needed additional time to record statements from complainants, witnesses and other relevant individuals.
Officers told the court they needed to coordinate with the Comorian Embassy liaison officer to find out if there are other reported or upcoming cases linked to the suspect involving other Comorian nationals.
Police also told the court that Hamidou was arrested while in possession of a silver Nissan Note, registration number KDY 034T, believed to have been bought from proceeds of crime and now held at the station yard.
They submitted that releasing him may compromise investigations and that he is a flight risk with no fixed abode.
The court authorised his detention, stating that the respondent be held “for a period of 14 days to enable the applicant complete the ongoing investigations.”
Magistrate Mati directed that police conclude the inquiry and either charge the suspect or release him by October 26, 2026.
