Malindi prominent lawyeTwo Italian nationals Daniele Lo Coco and Massimo Nativi accused of defrauding fellow Italians of Sh. 32 million in property purchase before Kilifi Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki in Kilifi town on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Photo by Ben Okweingoti. 
Ben Okweingoti.
Two Italian nationals accused of defrauding fellow Italians of KSh32 million in a villa purchase scheme have been placed on their defence by a Kilifi court.
The accused, Daniele Lo Coco and Massimo Nativi, appeared before Kilifi Chief Magistrate Jame Mwaniki, who dismissed a prosecution application seeking to adjourn the proceedings, ruling that the request appeared to be a tactic aimed at delaying the case.
The defence hearing commenced with testimony from prominent Malindi lawyer Tukero Ole Kina, who told the court that he witnessed the sale agreements relating to the purchase of villas at Rafiki Villas Limited in Malindi. The agreements involved purchasers Fiorenzo Girola, Rosa Tettamanzi, and Rita Nappo.
According to the prosecution, Lo Coco and Nativi allegedly obtained KSh17 million from Rita Nappo and KSh15 million from Fiorenzo Girola by falsely claiming they were in a position to sublease villas at Rafiki Village in Watamu.
In the first count, the two are accused of jointly obtaining KSh17 million from Rita Nappo on various dates between August 30, 2018, and August 1, 2019, after allegedly misrepresenting that they could sublease Villa No. 5A, situated on Plot Number Kilifi/Jimba/1544, measuring approximately 0.327 hectares.
In the second count, the accused are alleged to have obtained KSh15 million from Fiorenzo Girola between March 21, 2020, and February 24, 2021, by falsely claiming they were able to sublease Villa No. 4B, also located on Plot Number Kilifi/Jimba/1544.
The prosecution closed its case after presenting four witnesses.
The court directed both the prosecution and the defence to file their written submissions within seven days before a ruling on the case proceeds further.
