NYS Scandal: 43 Suspects to Remain in Remand Until End of the Trial as Court Denies Them Bail
All 43 suspects charged over a scandal involving billions of shillings at the National Youth Service (NYS) will remain in remand until their cases are heard and determined.
This is after Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Douglas Ogoti on Tuesday denied bail to the accused persons on grounds that they're charged with Economic Crimes, which are serious offences.
"As such, bail will not be automatically granted,” Ogoti ruled. “I direct that the cases be expedited.”
Among suspects who will remain in custody is Youth Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Lillian Omollo and NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai.
In his ruling, the Magistrate said that the charges are serious and can cause loss of financial health of a country. Ogot further ruled that loss of public funds denies citizens the right to good health,food and also leads to death.
He also noted that the charges against the suspects pose a threat to peace, saying it was a reason enough to deny the accused persons bail.
During the hearing of the bail application, State counsels argued that if released on bail, the suspects are likely to interfere with investigations, evidence and witnesses in the case.
However, the defense team led by lawyer Cliff Ombeta told the court that the charges against the accused persons are bail-able and that bail is a constitutional right.
Comments (12)
Expedite the trials. We don’t need to feed them in the cells after they have plundered all these millions. We need our money back.
Precisely!
Freezed cash should be taken back. Period.
Funga wao maisha. Do not let them see the outside again. Let them stay there for the rest of their lives.
Bravo bravo mr judge this is the way.Wacha wakae huko wawe wanaitika wakiwa ndani TIL they r jailed or shot/hanged.Am telling u Kenya wezi hatakuwa careful kuimba mali ya Uma tena.
Thank judge. It is about time to have zero tolerance policy on these criminals. We want to see progress in prosecution.
Will Mrs Lilian Muthoni Omollo remain in Kenyatta hospital private wing for all that period?
Detectives went to pick one of the accused at Windsor Golf Course last week. He tried to bribe them on the spot but they were not having any of it. Also, powerful lawyers who do business lucrative business with the government have been told that any future contracts with the government are null and void once they represent anyone on corruption cases henceforth. I am currently in Nairobi and the level of anxiety among anyone who has been on the receiving end of any government deal is incredibly high. Golf courses are unusually empty and high end bars where money is flashed around has seen a drop in business. I don't recall being this excited about Kenya. Folks, it's going to be a bloodbath and I hope I am not disappointed.
This is very good news and I hope I am not disappointed too. This could be the result of the handshake.
@Nani, thanks for giving us a "bird's eye view", or if you like "from the ground" view on what is happening with the terrible corruption issue. If you ask me, I not only want a bloodbath, but a real massacre to genocidal level; scorched earth razing prosecution of these corruption cases, so that once the embers cool down, these filthy thieves will be left rotting in jail, and their ill gotten wealth reclaimed for use in public good. I am excited to hear that is the pulse you are feeling and I hope I am not disappointed too.
Let's remember they are innocent until proven guilty. Let us follow the correct procedure to do so. Take them to court, do not prosecute them in the court of public opinion and politics, If we do so we will also be corrupt in our own dealings. Let us follow the Constitution and what it says about the procedure to be followed.
Anonymous, do you understand why there is public outcry? The courts are so compromised in Kenya that the corrupt know they can easily get away by having cases judged in their favor or dragged in courts forever. Gakuo, the ex Nairobi town clerk, just went to jail for a case dating back almost ten years ago.