Mr Yogesh Pattni, the esteemed Managing Director of Victoria Commercial Bank, found himself under intense scrutiny on Monday, August 28, 2023, as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) probed alleged bank fraud accusations.
Nairobi News has learned that Mr Pattni was apprehended by investigators associated with the anti-banking fraud unit, who descended upon his office in Two Rivers Mall.
Mr Gibson Kimani, the legal representative for the embattled banker, conveyed that Mr. Pattni dedicated a significant portion of the day to cooperating with the DCI Headquarters, enduring an extensive session of questioning at the hands of the skilled detectives.
“In the early hours of the morning, he was taken into custody by law enforcement officers and subjected to hours of rigorous questioning,” Mr. Kimani confirmed.
A source with knowledge of the ongoing investigation revealed to Nairobi News that this arrest could be linked to Mr Pattni’s association with Jaswant Singh Rai.
It is important to note that just last month, both Mr Rai and Mr Pattni managed to secure an anticipatory bail order from the Commercial Court, a development that raised eyebrows within the legal community.
The pair, alongside other individuals, had been embroiled in a legal battle pertaining to the alleged criminalization of West Kenya Sugar Company Limited’s involvement in insolvency proceedings.
Remarkably, Mr Rai obtained court orders that effectively shielded him from any arrest or interrogation attempts by the National Police Service (NPS).
However, a dramatic twist unfolded on Friday, August 25, 2023, when Mr Rai was reportedly abducted by unidentified individuals in broad daylight while en route to his residence. His captors maintained control over him until the evening of Sunday, August 27, 2023, when he was finally released.
For perspective, Mr Pattni’s background, as per Victoria Commercial Bank’s official website, is laden with an accomplished record of executive management, boasting over three decades of banking experience. His illustrious journey commenced at Equatorial Commercial Bank (ECB) Ltd before he progressed to the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA).
“Dr. Pattni takes pride in his role as the driving force behind Victoria Commercial Bank’s ascent as a prominent private institution in the region. His extensive qualifications encompass an Honorary Doctorate degree from United Graduate College and Seminary International, a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Business degree from the United States International University, and accreditation from the esteemed Harvard Business School in Financial Institutions for Private Enterprise Development,” his online profile highlights.
The profile also characterizes him as a leader and a catalyst for change, asserting that he dedicates his time to empowering individuals and positively impacting lives beyond his office.
