Gospel artist Alex Apoko, popularly known as Ringtone, will spend the weekend behind bars after a Nairobi court deferred a decision on his bail application until Monday.
Ringtone was finally arraigned on Thursday following his arrest under a warrant issued after multiple missed court appearances. He now faces serious charges involving an alleged land fraud scheme in Nairobi’s upscale Karen neighborhood.
According to court documents, Ringtone together with co-accused Alfred Juma Ayora is accused of conspiring to defraud a businesswoman, Teresiah Adhiambo, of land valued at Sh50 million. The disputed parcel measures 0.47 acres (approximately 0.1908 hectares).
Prosecutors allege the duo attempted to unlawfully claim ownership through adverse possession a legal strategy Ringtone supported by claiming he had occupied the land for more than 20 years.
Ayora, who previously appeared in court on March 28, also faces a separate count of providing false information under oath. He is accused of swearing a misleading affidavit stating he had resided on the land for two decades. He denied the charge.
While Ayora had already taken a plea, Ringtone was directed to do so at a later date. However, he repeatedly failed to show up in court, prompting authorities to issue a warrant of arrest.
Ringtone’s legal team had claimed illness as the reason for his absence, citing medical treatment in Nakuru and later hospitalization at a private facility in Ngong. But Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego dismissed the explanation, noting that no medical documents had been submitted to support the claim.
“There is nothing before this court to justify his absence,” she stated as she upheld the arrest warrant.
Even after the May 7 court date came and went without his appearance, the arrest order remained in effect.
When finally brought before the court on Thursday, Ringtone pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges. The prosecution, however, urged the court to deny him bail, arguing he posed a flight risk given his history of absconding.
A ruling on his bail application is expected Monday.
