By ADEN KIPRUTO
A director of a private company trading as NovaGames International has been charged with stealing Sh122 million in a case involving claims that he received the money after promising to develop a mobile gaming application and a chemical weapon detector.
The accused, Eliud Wachira Limuyu, was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Daisy Mutai, where he denied the criminal charge brought against him by the prosecution.
The prosecution alleged that Limuyu received the colossal sum of money from the complainant, Tonny Ketter, by claiming that he was capable of developing a mobile game application and a chemical weapon detection device.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed between 2020 and 2024 within Nairobi County.
The prosecution did not oppose the accused’s release on bond or cash bail. However, lawyer Chatia Ebwoyele, who represented the complainant, told the court that Limuyu had allegedly threatened the complainant while he was being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
Ebwoyele argued that releasing the accused could expose the complainant and other prosecution witnesses to possible harm, urging the court to consider the concerns raised before making a decision on his release.
The lawyer also challenged a probation report presented to the court, arguing that it lacked crucial information that would help the court assess the accused’s circumstances and determine suitable bail conditions.
He told the court that the report did not indicate where the accused was residing or identify the witnesses interviewed by the probation officer during the preparation of the report.
Ebwoyele further questioned how the report had been prepared within a single day, arguing that the short period raised suspicion about the adequacy of the assessment.
He maintained that the concerns surrounding the report needed to be considered as the court determined the terms under which the accused could be released pending the hearing and determination of the criminal case.
However, after considering the matter, the court exercised its discretion and directed Limuyu to deposit a cash bail of Sh5 million, accompanied by two sureties of a similar amount.
The court also granted the accused an alternative bond of Sh10 million, with one contact person required as part of the conditions.
The bail terms were set as the accused awaits the next stage of the proceedings in the case, in which the prosecution alleges that he received the money after making promises concerning the development of the two technological products.
The case is scheduled to be mentioned on November 10, 2026, for a pre-trial conference, when the court is expected to give further directions on the progress of the proceedings.
