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Derrick Cornelius Van Houten, the former Chief Executive Officer of Royal Oven Limited and Java, was charged at Milimani law court on Wednesday for obtaining money by false pretense.
Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, Derrick pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on a cash bail of Ksh 500,000, with one contact person required for his bail conditions.
According to the chargesheet, Derrick, along with others not before the court, is alleged to have defrauded Awil Abdurahman Dulle of a total sum of Ksh 7,911,000. The alleged fraudulent activity took place on diverse dates between October 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022. It is claimed that Derrick falsely represented that he could approve and construct a Java outlet for Mr. Dulle in Narok.
Derrick’s legal representative told the court that he is ready to settle the matter out of court, emphasizing that Derrick has secured a new job since losing his previous position due to the pending criminal case in court number five at Milimani law court. The defense requested a small bond to allow Derrick to attend court proceedings while also settling the matter.
The court has scheduled the next mention of the case for April 26, 2024, for pre-trial directions.
This case highlights the seriousness of white-collar crime allegations and underscores the need for thorough legal proceedings. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how Derrick’s defense will navigate the charges against him and whether a settlement outside of court will be pursued.
The court’s upcoming directions on April 26 will be pivotal in determining the next steps in this case, as Derrick Cornelius Van Houten faces the legal implications of the charges brought against him.