Tyson Kibet, a third-year university student, was recently charged with cybersquatting at the Milimani Law Courts. According to the charge sheet, Kibet allegedly created a fake Facebook account using former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s name.
The prosecution notes that he intentionally created the fake page on November 25th, 2023 at an unknown place to defraud innocent Kenyans using Mike Sonko’s credentials without the former Governer’s authorization.
Kibet’s lawyer objected to the submission by the prosecuting Counsel stating that the accused is a student and that he has ongoing exams hence requested he be released on very low bond terms.
“He is a victim of circumstances in this even his classmates have raised Sh50,000 through WhatsApp group to help in cash bail. Kindly grant him the amount to enable attend classes,” his lawyer told the court according to the Star.
In the ruling, the Magistrate noted that the accused was young man and he could be a student and he could be having ongoing exams hence he deserved to be released on reasonable bond terms despite having no documentations to indicate his student status.
“I have listened to the submissions from both the prosecuting counsel and the defence. The accused person herein is a young man, he could be a student at the said college and he could be having ongoing exams”, the magistrate said.
Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi granted him a cash bail of Sh200,000 or a bond of Sh1 million. The case is set for mention on June 10, 2024.