Twenty suspects linked to the NYS theft of Sh9 billion will remain in police custody until Tuesday next week June 5 pending the court’s determination on bail.
On Tuesday night, the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji opposed the release of the 24 suspects who were before the court to be freed on bail.
Senior assistant DPP Emily Kamau told the Anti-Corruption Court magistrate Douglas Ogoti that releasing the suspects on bail would prejudice the case.
“We are opposed to their release on bail as they are a flight risk and are likely to abscond court,” she said according to the Star.
The suspects arrived at the court precincts at noon but the case kicked off with plea taking at about 4 pm running all through the night.
Among those arraigned were NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai, acting DG Sam Michuki, Youth and Gender PS Lilian Mbogo, businesswomen Anne Wambere Ngiriti, Lucy Wambui Ngiriti, Phyllis Njeri Ngiriti and Jeremiah Gichin Ngiriti among others.
Ndubai, Michuki, and Mbogo were charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an offense of economic crimes, willful failure to comply with applicable laws, and theft of public property, charges which they denied.
The PS argued that she had a right to be freed on bail citing that the DPP’s assertion that she would interfere with the case given her position in government was far-fetched.
“She is not a risk to public property. She has been a leader in this country and still remains to be one,” her lawyer said.
The magistrate further ordered that 13 other suspects who failed to show up to court yesterday present themselves to the DCI on Thursday.