Tob Cohen halted joint property transfer, changed Will, court told

The prosecution in the murder trial of Dutch businessman Tob Cohen presented fresh evidence linking changes to his property ownership plans and will to the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.

Cohen’s longtime advocate, Geoffrey Chege Kirundi, told the court that his client had abandoned plans to transfer his Kitisuru home into joint ownership with his wife, Sarah Cohen, before subsequently changing the beneficiaries of his Will.

Testifying as Prosecution Witness 26, Kirundi said Cohen had instructed him in 2009 to initiate the transfer of the property, which he had acquired for KSh1.5 million before developing it into his residence.

The advocate, however, advised against the proposed transfer, observing that Sarah was already the sole beneficiary under Cohen’s existing Will.

Despite the advice, Cohen directed him to proceed, prompting the preparation of the necessary transfer documents.

But before the transaction could be completed and registered, Cohen reportedly changed his mind.

Kirundi told the court that Cohen instructed him to halt the process, saying he no longer felt it was necessary to proceed with the transfer. Consequently, the property remained registered outside the proposed joint ownership arrangement.

The court also heard that Cohen later made significant changes to his Will, instructing the advocate to remove Sarah and her daughter as beneficiaries and replace them with his niece and nephew.

In another significant aspect of his testimony, Kirundi cast doubt on suggestions that Cohen had travelled out of the country after his disappearance.

He told the court that Cohen had previously informed him that he had no plans to travel until October, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

The testimony adds to the body of evidence the prosecution is presenting to establish the circumstances leading to Cohen’s death and address the events preceding his disappearance.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through the prosecution team, continues to present witnesses and documentary evidence as the trial progresses.