Fuliza fraud suspects out on cash bail

The masterminds of the alleged theft of Sh449 million from a city bank in the Fuliza Loan fraud scheme are students from Egerton and Laikipia universities.

The disclosure emerged yesterday before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robison Ondieki when the eight suspects sought to have their Sh1 million cash bail reduced.

While seeking to be released on reasonable bail terms, the suspect through lawyer Ham Lang’at informed the court that they are unable to raise the Sh1 million since they are university students from the two institutions with no other means of living.

“ Your honour, the suspects who are before you are unable to raise the cash bail imposed by the court last week since they are university students from Laikipia and Egerton who come from humble backgrounds. I urge the court to consider their current status. Their families are in shock and cannot raise the amount each was granted to be able to continue with their studies,” Lang’at stated.

Attend court

The lawyer informed the court the suspects are willing to abide by all conditions the court will impose and will attend court as and when required.

Ondieki consented to the request and ordered each of the suspects to be released on Sh400,000 cash bail.

The suspects were also ordered to avail a contact person and warned from interfering with prosecution witnesses and  tampering with the bank ICT systems.

The students are accused of hatching a plan to acquire several sim cards and open many bank accounts using collected personal details data of people from receptions at the various government institutions and private entities.

The suspects are Peter Githinji Wambui, Isaac Kipkemboi, Moses Rono, Collins Kipyegon, Maxwell Njamba Ributhu, Edwin Kipkorir Cheruiyot, Gedion Kipkirui Rono and Gedion Kipkoech Kirui.

The case will be mentioned on February 27 for pre-trial directions.