Controversial gospel musician Alex Apoko, popularly known as Ringtone, has been released on a Sh3 million bond with a Sh1 million cash bail alternative after being charged with conspiracy to commit land fraud. .
The flamboyant singer appeared at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, where he denied the accusations leveled against him.
Ringtone, known as much for his music as for his drama-filled lifestyle, was arrested last week following investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into a suspected fraudulent scheme involving a high-value parcel of land in Nairobi’s Runda area.
Authorities allege that Ringtone conspired with others to illegally transfer ownership of the land using forged documents.According to the prosecution, the musician and his alleged accomplices presented fake title deeds and attempted to sell the property to an unsuspecting buyer.
The deal, worth tens of millions, was flagged after inconsistencies were noted during a verification process with the Ministry of Lands.In court, the prosecution requested that Ringtone be remanded, citing the seriousness of the offense and the possibility of interfering with witnesses.
However, the defense team, led by prominent lawyer Cliff Ombeta, argued that the accused is a well-known public figure with a fixed residence and no record of flight risk.“Mr. .Apoko is a respected artist with strong ties to the community. He has cooperated fully with investigators and is ready to prove his innocence in court,” Ombeta told the court.Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi granted bail, noting that the charges, while serious, did not justify continued detention at this stage.
She instructed the accused to refrain from contacting any witnesses directly or indirectly and to report to the DCI every two weeks until the next hearing date.The case has drawn significant public interest, with many Kenyans taking to social media to comment on the musician’s latest controversy.
While some expressed disappointment, others questioned whether celebrities are being unfairly targeted or whether fame is being used to escape accountability.
Ringtone has yet to release a formal statement, but sources close to him say he maintains that the allegations are part of a smear campaign to tarnish his image. The case is scheduled for mention in two weeks as investigations continue.
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