Gospel artist Ringtone granted Ksh.1 million bail in Ksh.50M fraud case

After spending four days behind bars, gospel artist Alex Apoko, widely known as Ringtone, has been released on a Ksh.3 million bond or an alternative of Ksh.1 million cash bail in a multimillion fraud case.

Ringtone was charged with conspiring to defraud a businesswoman, Teresia Adhiambo, of land worth Ksh.50 million in Karen, Nairobi.

Alongside and his co-accused Alfred Juma Ayora, the artist appeared in Milimani Law Courts on Monday, where they were ordered to provide two contact people for their release and the hearing set for August 6, 2025.

According to court documents, the accused allegedly conspired to unlawfully acquire a land parcel number NAIROBI/BLOCK 99/142 owned by Teresia on or before February 28, 2023.

They are reported to have “falsely claimed adverse possession, alleging that they had occupied the land for over two decades.”

Ringtone and Ayora were charged with conspiracy to defraud, forgery and perjury, with Ayora facing two additional counts of making false declarations.

It is alleged that he had falsely sworn an affidavit before advocate S.M Katonya, a person authorised to administer an oath.

He was also accused of presenting a false affidavit before the Environment and Lands Court in Case Number E012 of 2023 during a judicial proceeding.

On the other hand, Ringtone was initially expected to take a plea two weeks after Ayora’s arraignment. He however failed to appear in court despite several summons, which led to Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego issuing a warrant of arrest.

He was arrested on May 15 but denied all charges. He was deemed a flight risk, hence his release on bail was earlier opposed. 

His case is now set for hearing in August 6, 2025.