The United Kingdom has approved the extradition of Yagnesh Devani - the businessman behind the Sh7.6 billion Triton petroleum scandal - back to Kenya to face charges over the scam. Last week, the British government notified Nairobi to facilitate the return of Devani after what it said was a solution of a “legal matter” that prevented his deportation.
Legal action is also being taken against Mahendra Pathak, who is Devani’s close associate. Julian Gibbs, Head of Extradition, UK, said Kenya will now be free to follow the procedure and conduct their trial back in Nairobi. “I would be very grateful if arrangements could be made as soon as possible to give effect to Devani’s extradition,” Gibbs wrote in a letter addressed to the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions.
Devani, who turns 56 on March 23, disappeared since June 2009 from a case in which he was charged with swindling billions of money in a crude and refined oil import scam. The oil scam, often known as the Triton Scandal, was allegedly made through Devani’s company, Triton Petroleum Ltd. The firm, where Devani was the executive chairman, had a lucrative offer of tender to supply oil to help local oil firms. Around 126 million litres of fuel worth Sh9 billion was vaporized in the air.
Triton had been placed under receivership for non-payment of the debt. In December 2008, Mohanlal Devani and Mahendra Pathak visited Prayagraj, a place where three holy rivers confluence, to clean themselves from their sins.
