GOSPEL ARTISTE RINGTONE DENIED BAIL OVER SH50 MILLION LAND FRAUD CASE

A Nairobi court has ordered gospel musician Alex Apoko, famously known as Ringtone, to remain in custody after he was charged with involvement in a Sh50 million land fraud scheme in Karen.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego ruled on Thursday, May 16, that Apoko and his co-accused, Alfred Juma Ayora, would not be granted bail after pleading not guilty to conspiracy to defraud businesswoman Teresia Adhiambo Odhiambo.

The court directed that Apoko be held at Industrial Area Prison until Monday, May 19, when a pre-bail report will be reviewed. The two face several charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud, false swearing, and perjury.

Prosecutors allege that Apoko and Ayora attempted to illegally acquire a 0.1908-hectare plot in Karen by falsely claiming possession. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) stated that on February 28, 2023, the duo conspired to deceive Odhiambo by falsely asserting that Ayora had occupied the property for more than 20 years.

Additionally, Ayora is accused of submitting a fraudulent affidavit before Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths S.M. Katonya, declaring that he had lived on the land registered as NAIROBI/BLOCK 99/142 for two decades.

 He is also charged with perjury for lying under oath in a case before the Environment and Land Court Case No. E012 of 2023.