Clergyman arraigned in court for defrauding congregants

Kisii, Wednesday, May 24, 2023

KNA by Julius Ongwae/Mercy Osongo

A bishop of the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) church has been arraigned before a Kisii court for allegedly obtaining money under false pretense.

While appearing before Magistrate Wa Kugwa Wahinya, Samson Obonyo denied charges of defrauding his congregants and their family members a total of Sh3 million with the promise that he would facilitate their travel to the United States of America for greener pastures.

Speaking to the press at the Kisii Law courts in Kisii town, the clergyman’s lawyer Bernard Nyagaka said the prosecution had objected to the release of his client on bond saying they had not completed their investigations and his release could interfere with the same.  

However, Nyagaka noted that the court heard submissions from both parties and released the clergyman on a bond of Sh3 million and a surety of the same or a cash bail of Sh600,000.  

The Magistrate also instructed the bishop to submit his passport in court for fear that he might flee the country before the case is heard and determined. The case is set to be mentioned on June 6.

The lawyer noted the case had been filed by seven complainants who had sent money to the bishop between the years 2017 and 2020 after promising that he would take them abroad.

This comes even as the government reiterated its commitment to crack down on rogue churches and preachers whose doctrines do not abide by the law.

Courtesy ; K. N. A