reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

EIGHT more people were arraigned today before the Kenya Anti Corruption Court in Kisumu and charged with fraudulently trying to acquire the collapsed Miwani Company and its land worth over 2 billion shillings.

They appeared before the Principal Magistrate Kimemia Muneeni and denied the charges.

Ian Gitau, John Kimani, Moses Oseko Joseph Lumumba, Sign Sate, Ephraim Apundo and Abdikadir Salim were all ordered released on bonds of 5 million shillings each or cash bail of 2.5 million each.

One of the suspects is a former resident magistrate in Kisumu law court who is said to have presided in civil case which resulted in the complaint filed by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission [KACC}

They were represented by lawyer Richard Onsongo who argued that bail is a constitutional right.

The offences were allegedly committed between dates varying in 2007 and 2008.

The case will be mentioned in two weeks time. Also listed in the charge sheet was Crowley Company limited.

Last week the Management of Kibos Sugar Factory Limited (KSAIL) alongside five other suspects were arraigned in a Kisumu court, charged with fraudulently trying to acquire the collapsed Company and its land worth 2.32 billion shillings.

The charge stated that between May 21, 2007 and January 30, 2008 they conspired with intent to defraud Miwani Sugar Company of its property comprising the entire parcel of land, LR. NO. 7545/3 measuring 9,394 acres.

All the six accused persons appeared before the Senior Principal Magistrate, Ezra Awino. and denied the charges through their Lawyer Richard Onsongo and were released on a bond of 3million shillings or cash bail of Ksh. 1 million each.

Also charged were two civic leaders from Nyando County Council, a Kisumu based Auctioneer, an advocate of the same Court and KSAIL Managing Director, Sukwinder Singh alias “Raju Sign Patel” who owns the Kibos Sugar Factory.

The case is set for mentioning on October 27th, 2010.

End