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Lawyer linked to Sh1.5bn Equity Bank heist freed on bond
Lawyer Esther Bitutu Kadiki (inset) in court on May 6, 2025.
A city lawyer sucked into the Sh1.5 billion Equity Bank heist has been released on a Sh30 million bond, pending completion of investigations before formal charging over the fraud.
While releasing Ms Esther Bitutu Kadiki after spending a night at Capitol Hill Police Station, Milimani chief magistrate Lucas Onyina said she is not a flight risk as claimed by prosecuting cousel Joyce Olajo and Irene Magolo.
He directed that the suspect surrender herself to the investigating officers to record a statement.
“Ms Kadiki cannot be a flight risk simply because she told police that she had been out of the country when she was wanted to record a statement,” Mr Onyina observed.
“There is no evidence presented by police to show that she attempted to interfere with any of the witnesses or investigations since October 2024 when the probe into the monumental bank heist begun,” he ruled.
He added that police did not table any signed summons served on Ms Kadiki requiring her to surrender herself for interrogation after they got permission from court to investigate her bank accounts.
He said there must be justification for remanding in custody a suspect under investigations.
The case will be mentioned May 29 for further directions.
