News / National
German man (70) up for fraud in Zim
09 Jul 2013 at 20:19hrs | Views
A 70-year-old German man who wanted to defraud his step son of the late mother's US$1 million estate, has been remanded in custody.
Hugo Nagel had initially been granted US$1000 bail by Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande before the State led by prosecutor Thomas Mabwe invoked section 121of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
The act ensures an accused person remains in custody for up to seven days, while the State appeals against the ruling (bail).
Hugo's trial has been set for July 15.
He is said to have intended to defraud his mentally retarded step son, Buck Gordon Lohan, of his late mother's estate.
State led by prosecutor Mabwe alleges that sometime in March, Hugo's wife (Buck's mother) died, leaving behind a house, three shops, cars and some jewellery.
Reports are that Hugo then went to the High Court (of Zimbabwe) where he obtained a waiver of security which he made Buck sign.
It is said Hugo made his step son sign the waiver stating that he (Hugo) had to deal with the estate as he deemed fit.
Indications are that Hugo, by making his mentally retarded step son to sign such a waiver, did not want to pledge an equivalent amount of property to the High Court as surety that he was going to be honest in the execution of the deceased's estate.
On March 13, Hugo is said to have misrepresented to the High Court that he was a permanent resident of Zimbabwe and was entrusted to be the executor of property.
It is the State's claim that Hugo made such misrepresentations because he wanted to defraud Buck of his late mother's estate valued US$1 180 000.
Hugo Nagel had initially been granted US$1000 bail by Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande before the State led by prosecutor Thomas Mabwe invoked section 121of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
The act ensures an accused person remains in custody for up to seven days, while the State appeals against the ruling (bail).
Hugo's trial has been set for July 15.
He is said to have intended to defraud his mentally retarded step son, Buck Gordon Lohan, of his late mother's estate.
Reports are that Hugo then went to the High Court (of Zimbabwe) where he obtained a waiver of security which he made Buck sign.
It is said Hugo made his step son sign the waiver stating that he (Hugo) had to deal with the estate as he deemed fit.
Indications are that Hugo, by making his mentally retarded step son to sign such a waiver, did not want to pledge an equivalent amount of property to the High Court as surety that he was going to be honest in the execution of the deceased's estate.
On March 13, Hugo is said to have misrepresented to the High Court that he was a permanent resident of Zimbabwe and was entrusted to be the executor of property.
It is the State's claim that Hugo made such misrepresentations because he wanted to defraud Buck of his late mother's estate valued US$1 180 000.
Source - Herald
