NYS Scandal: PS Lillian Omollo, Ngiritas Freed on Sh1 Million Cash Bail

The High Court has freed 43 National Youth Service (NYS) scandal suspects on bail after they spent nearly three weeks in remand prison.

Among those released on bail is Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Lillian Omollo, NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai as well as the four members of the Ngirita family.

In its ruling on Tuesday morning, the High Court granted each of them Sh1million cash bail, Sh5 million bond and a Sh2 million surety.

“Even as I grant bail am aware of the seriousness of the charges the applicants and co-accused and range from senior govt officers to junior officers,”Presiding Justice Hedwig Ongudi ruled.

“It is true that the charges they are facing are serious and the penalty of the offenses very stiff,” she said.

Justice Ongundi further ordered all suspects to surrender their travel documents to the court. The accused persons are also not to leave the jurisdiction of the Nairobi Chief Magistrate without prior orders by the court.

The suspects are also not allowed to visit their former offices unless accompanied by an officer or make contact with any of the staff or witnesses lined up by the Prosecution.

They were also directed to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) offices at least once per week until further orders by the trial court.

In his ruling, Justice Ogundi said the Prosecution failed to present any material evidence to prove that the suspects can interfere with the witnesses if freed as was previously alleged.

The judge also noted that the Prosecution did not prove how the accused persons are a threat to national security and an impediment to the case.

Ongundi also directed the suspects to attend to all court mentions and hearings in person without fail.

The suspects were charged with abuse of office, failing to prevent crime, failing to adhere to procurement laws and stealing among other charges.

They were denied bail on June 5th by the Anti-corruption court and were to remain in remand until the end of their trial.