Lesedi Developers Director Geoffrey Kiragu Freed On Ksh.5M Bond In Land Scam Case
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Stella Atambo, Kiragu faced 12 counts of defrauding land buyers of Ksh.5.47 million while operating as Lesedi Developers Limited by pretending he was in a position to sell them parcels of land. He denied all charges.
Kiragu who has cooled his heels in police cells for the last 20 days is being represented by four lawyers including long-serving counsel John Khaminwa, Daniel Gachau, Wanjiku Mwendwa and Wilfred Nyamu.
His application to be freed on cash bail or bond had been adjourned for seven days pending the filing of a pre-bail report by the Thika Probation office
While pleading for lenient bail or bond terms, the defense team argued that the matter is a civil case and that all charges are misdemeanors and are bailable.
Lawyer Daniel Gachau noted that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Investigating Officers have not sworn any affidavits opposing the defense’s application for bail or bond.
The Prosecution didn’t oppose the bail or bond application but insisted on the defense upholding settlement of the matter by compensating the victims.
Justice Atambo while delivering her ruling on the application noted that she had taken into consideration of the prebail report by the probation office, the defense submissions and the prosecution’s stand.
Atambo directed Kiragu to deposit his passport (s) in the court until the case is heard and determined.
“The accused is also hereby directed to report to the Investigating Officers in the matter twice a month for the next three months,” she ruled.
The case will be mentioned again on October 18, 2023, while the hearing is set to commence on January 25, 2024.