University Student’s Sh6M Gifted by his Boyfriend Freezed by Court

University Student’s Sh6M Gifted by his Boyfriend Freezed by Court

University Student’s Sh6M Gifted by his Boyfriend Freezed by Court. The High Court, on Friday took action on a Ksh 6 million donation 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 on suspicion of money laundering linked to the Ksh 6 million donation. The judge raised concerns about the source of the funds, which were not disclosed.

As a result, Judge Kavedza not only froze the student’s assets, but also prohibited anyone acting on her behalf from transacting, withdrawing or transferring the above amount. The judge specified that these orders will remain in force for a period of ninety (90) days as provided in Section 84 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).

In addition, the judge scheduled the mention of the case on November 22, 2023 before Lady Justice Esther Maina, the presiding judge of the Anti-Corruption Division.

It is worth noting that the 90-day period can be changed if a motion to forfeit the case is pending in court or if a judge issues an order to vacate the decision before the deadline.

In 2021, Njoroge rose to fame when detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) seized over Ksh 100 million sent as a gift by her Belgian boyfriend. The student expressed her dissatisfaction with the court’s decision and claimed that the funds were intended for her personal use.

According to court documents, the Belgian national informed the court that the student was allowed to use the funds to secure her and her children’s future, stressing that the gift was a token of their affection.

However, De Mesel faced further scrutiny after he allegedly sent Ksh 257 million to three other women. This attracted the attention of the Assets and Recovery Agency (ARA), which obtained court orders to freeze the funds during the investigation.