Accused Brian Kiprotich Ronoh in Milimani court/JAMES GICHIGIA Nairobi court has ordered the preparation of a pre-bail report in a case where a man is alleged to have orchestrated a SIM swap fraud targeting former OCS Samson Talaam.
The complaint had initially been raised by Talaam during his arraignment in the Albert Ojwang case.
The accused, Kiprotich Brian Ronoh, appeared before Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii on Tuesday seeking bond terms, assuring the court that he would attend all proceedings.
In his submissions, Ronoh also requested the return of his mobile phone, which was confiscated by police during his arrest, permission to access medical treatment, and a copy of his recorded statement.
The court issued the order after a probation officer requested three days to compile and file the pre-bail report.
The complainant’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, informed the court of their intention to file an affidavit in response to the bond application and requested three days to do so.
The State and Independent Policing Oversight Authority did not object to the timelines sought.
The court heard that a decision on whether the seized phone will be treated as an exhibit will be made during the next mention.
Magistrate Nyaguthii directed the investigating officer to attend court to respond to the phone release request.
On the medical treatment plea, the magistrate granted Ronoh’s request and ordered that he be escorted for the necessary care.
“The orders are issued for the accused to be escorted for medical treatment. The investigating officer shall be present in court to address the issue of the mobile phone,” ruled the court.
The case is linked to allegations that Ronoh engaged in a SIM swap scheme targeting Talaam, a former officer commanding station, with the intent to fraudulently access personal and financial information.
Details of the alleged fraud are yet to be presented in full, pending the compilation of the pre-bail report and the affidavit from the complainant’s side.
The matter will be mentioned on August 19, when the court will give further directions after receiving the pre-bail report and submissions from all parties.
