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Controversial televangelist David Ngare alias Gakuyo has been charged with defrauding members of the public Sh1 billion.

Appearing before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhumbi, Gakuyo denied 13 counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtain money through pretense.

The Ekeza Sacco boss was accused of defrauding individuals and corporates by pretending that he would invest the money in interest earning companies.

Bishop was accused of defrauding investors Sh1,053,746,094 between 2015 and 2018 at Ekeza Sacco Society Limited at Yala Towers in Nairobi.

Gakuyo is accused of fraudulently receiving Sh553,050 from Step by Step Welfare Association, pretending he was in a position to sell a parcel of land at Kilimambogo in Kiambu.

He is also accused of defrauding Elizabeth Mwangi Sh2,450,000 by pretending he would invest the money at Gakuyo Investment Club where it would attract an interest of two percent.

He also denied defrauding Edward Nduati Sh1.2 million pretending he would invest the money at Gakuyo Investment Club where it would attract an interest of two per cent.

Court heard that between January and July 2017, Gakuyo fraudulently obtained Sh302,900 from Esther Mugo, claiming he would invest it at Ekeza Sacco Society then receive a loan worth three times the amount.

Three times

From Robert Kaemba, the court heard he received Sh2,886,000 to invest in Ekeza Sacco then qualify for a loan three times the amount invested.

From George Komu, he received Sh93,500 to qualify for a loan three times the invested amount. He was charged with defrauding Janet Wangari Sh200,000 to invest in Ekeza Sacco to qualify for a loan three times the amount.

He was further accused of defrauding Margaret Wanjiku Sh146,250, Felister Chege Sh290,625 and Ian Kanyongo Sh300,000 claiming he would invest the money in Ekeza Sacco to enable him qualify for a loan three times the investment.

Defence lawyers Mwenda Njagi, Danstan Omari and Ndegwa Njiru applied for the accused to be released on a bond of Sh1 million saying: “Bishops do not have money, they rely on tithes and offertory.”

Prosecuting lawyer Henry Kinyanjui asked the court to impose stringent terms, saying the matter is of great public interest, adding that the accused was arrested while trying to flee the country.

Kinyanjui said the investigating officer is still interrogating more people and similar charges will be preferred.

Ekhumbi released him on a bond of Sh20 million with two sureties of the same amount or alternative cash bail of Sh10 million with two contact persons among them a senior Government official.

Case will be mentioned in two weeks time.

Magistrate allowed the plea by Kinyanjui to sermon officials of Ekeza Sacco to answer charges on behalf of the Sacco.