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Nairobi: Mystery of foreign impostors grows deeper

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  • Nairobi: Mystery of foreign impostors grows deeper

    The Standard, Kenya
    July 1 2006

    Mystery of foreign impostors grows deeper



    By PATRICK MATHANGANI and BIKETI KIKECHI

    Real estate businessman Raju Sanghani took the witness box yesterday
    morning on the third day of Shedrach Kiruki's Commission of Inquiry
    sitting.

    He told the Commission the story of how he was first introduced to
    the Artur brothers as Arthur and James in Dubai and how he finally
    hosted them in Kenya.

    The following are excerpts from yesterday's sitting:

    Dorcas: You have admitted that you are the one who introduced them to
    Hon Kalonzo Musyoka. Apart from him, who else did you introduce them
    to?

    Sanghani: Introduced them to many people like; the lawyer and many
    business friends. You see, like when we go to a restaurant for
    example and we meet some people.

    Dorcas: So is it right if I say that you introduced them to some
    significant people in the country and you also introduced them to
    some others?

    Sanghani: If you can be more specific...

    Dorcas: You also introduced them to other people? So if someone came
    here and said I was introduced to these people by Mr Sanghani that
    would be correct?

    Sanghani: In the business world...

    Dorcas: That's what I'm saying, if somebody came here who is a
    businessman in Nairobi and say that I did not know these people but
    were introduced to me by Mr Sanghani that would be correct.

    Sanghani: It could be. Not everybody but some of them.

    Dorcas: Now, this commission is concerned with their dealings in this
    country, and I would like you to tell us what was your business in
    Kenya?

    Sanghani: As I said, I was looking for a business opportunity and an
    opening when I first met them. It was not me who brought them here. I
    want to verify that. It was Mr Zakir who brought them to Kenya and I
    was introduced to the Artur brothers by Zakir. I saw some potential
    in business, especially in the property line and I was basically
    trying to see if I could take an opportunity and if I could get into
    business.

    Dorcas: So in the cause of the introduction, you introduced them as
    who?

    Sanghani: As I said, when Zakir introduced me to them he said they
    were his business friends and they are from the royal family in
    Armenia?

    Dorcas: While in Dubai, did they take you to any of their investments
    - to show you their factories whatever, whatever?

    Sanghani: Yes they did. They took me to one of their steel factories.
    Then they took me to some of their properties. They didn't show me
    any titles. They looked like people with resources.

    Dorcas: I want to show you a business card. And I want you to
    sincerely tell the commission if you came across this card and if you
    met somebody with this name when in Dubai or Kenya (shows him the
    card).

    Sanghani: Yes Hon commissioners, I have seen a card like this.

    Dorcas: Go back to the photographs I gave you this morning. This is
    Arthur Gervokyan?

    Sanghani: I didn't realise I mean... I had seen the card, but I didn't
    realise the second name... sorry but...

    Dorcas: But you remember the second passport I was talking about
    belongs to somebody Gevorkyan?

    Sanghani: Yes

    Dorcas: If you look at the email, it is [email protected]

    Sanghani? Yes it is.

    Dorcas: So, is it right if we say the name Artaq is also associated
    with these people?

    Sanghani: I believe so.

    Dorcas: Now in this card, they were doing business in the style of
    brothers' group of companies. Correct? Did you visit the headquarters
    of this group of companies?

    Sanghani: Yeah, but can I clarify my position here? I had this card;
    I think I must even be having one. I have never called this number I
    didn't see any need to. I always used to deal with Zakir.

    Dorcas: Do you know anything about (the) brothers' group of
    companies?

    Sanghani: Not really . They showed me a few factories. I did not see
    any sign of (the) brothers' group of companies.

    Dorcas: After what you have told us this morning, and apart from the
    press release, there is really no evidence that you disassociated
    yourself from the dealing of these people.

    Sanghani: All I can say is that I have not worked on their properties
    after March. After my statement, I have not undertaken to... last I did
    for them the housing scheme they wanted to put up in Mlolongo.

    Dorcas: But you realise they still had your cars, you were still
    paying rent on their behalf...

    Sanghani: I'm not saying I was paying the rent. They used to give the
    owner a banker's cheque.

    Dorcas: So how would you describe your relationship with them?

    Sanghani: As I said, I was looking... they wanted to build 3,000
    houses. I wanted to become their agent, definitely like anybody else
    could have. There were lots of estate agents who were actually
    campaigning to get this project. So I just put it on hold and said
    once it gets off the ground, I was ready to talk to them.

    Dorcas: Of all the business ventures that you discussed, did any of
    them materialise?

    Sanghani: Lots of things happened in between, they were called names...
    they were involved in so many other things so I just backed out.
    There were also dealings with other agents... many other business
    people besides me.

    Dorcas: What was happening in the house? You went there once or
    twice? Did anyone complain about any dealings in that house?

    Sanghani: Not really. Somebody called our office to say there were a
    lot of dogs and they were disturbing them at night.

    Dorcas: How many people were living in that house?

    Sanghani: I only used to go when this gentleman was in town. I never
    even discussed any dealings with the so-called James or Margaryan. I
    know like two of them and two of their brothers.

    The commission resumes on Monday.
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