High Court Reduces Ex-NLC Chairman Swazuri’s Bail To Ksh7 Million

The High Court has reduced the Ksh12 million cash bail imposed on former National Land Commission (NLC) chairman Muhammad Swazuri to Ksh7 million.

The order was delivered by Justice Mumbi Ngugi on Thursday morning.

The Ksh30 million bond issued by the High court has also been reviewed down to Ksh15 million.

In an application filed by Swazuri’s lawyers, the former NLC chair noted that the amount was unreasonably high and should have been reviewed.

He argued that the cash bail or the alternative surety bond of Ksh30 million was ‘unjust, exorbitant and in contravention of Article 49 of the Constitution.’

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji had opposed his application asserting that the bail terms ruled by Chief Magistrate Lawrance Mugambi were reasonable.

Additionally, Magistrate Mugambi stated that upon the release of the suspects, security should be provided for to ensure the guarantee of their attendance during trial as well as ensure that their release does not in any way erode public confidence in the administration of justice.

Read: Ex-NLC Chair Muhammad Swazuri to Remain in Police Custody Until May 2

Appearing before the court last week, Swazuri together with his co-accused denied more than 20 counts including corruption, abuse of office, financial misconduct, fraudulent acquisition of public funds and money laundering.

They were also accused of jointly conspiring to commit corruption through the fraudulent payment of Ksh109 million for alleged compulsory acquisition of land from Tornado carriers on behalf of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHa).

He is also alleged to have approved a second valuation yet the compensation for the land for expansion of road near the Port of Mombasa had been set at Ksh34.5 million.

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