NYS Scandal: Why DPP Wants Youth Affairs PS Lillian Omollo to Remain in Jail

The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Hajji wants Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Lilian Omollo and National Youth Service (NYS) Director-General Richard Ndubai to remain in jail even after they were released on bond.

On Thursday, the DPP urged the court to suspend the release of Ms Omollo and Ndubai, saying that the bail securities and cash presented for their release are suspect and subject to the current cases.

“We have received information that some of the proposed bond terms have received properties by a way of transfer from the accused persons. Some of the proposed securities are subject to investigations,” said the DPP.

On Tuesday, High Court Justice Hedwig Ong’undi freed each of the 47 NYS scam suspects on a bond of Sh5 million with a surety of Sh2 million and a cash bail of Sh1 million.

On Wednesday, the Director of Public Prosecution instructed the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti to make sure all assets presented by the accused persons for their release are legitimately acquired.

“Please note to confirm the validity and legitimacy of the securities and funds being presented by the suspects in the above mentioned cases for purposes of procuring their release on bail and bond,” said the DPP in a letter to the DCI boss.

“Concerns have been raised by the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) that some of the funds intended to be used are not only suspect, but the subject of the current cases.”

On Thursday, PS Omollo lawyer opposed the DPP’s application, arguing that the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) is not a judicial organ.

“No where did the court or the High Court give a direction that the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) approve any of the surety. ARA is not a judicial organ… The DPP does not dictate to this court,” said Ms. Omollo.

Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi ia set to rule on the matter on Friday.