The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recalled a police file in a high-profile land fraud case involving gospel singer Alex Apoko, popularly known as Ringtone, and his co-accused, Alfred Juma Ayora. The two are facing charges over an alleged Ksh50 million land scam involving property in Karen said to belong to Teresia Adhiambo.
During a court session, the prosecution informed trial magistrate Dolphina Alego that the DPP intends to review the criminal charges against the duo. The prosecution requested one month to complete the review process.
Meanwhile, the magistrate reprimanded Ringtone after he was caught taking photos of the complainant in court. The complainant had complained, claiming that the singer was taking her photos and threatening her.
Magistrate Alego ruled that Ringtone’s actions were unlawful and cautioned him against any further misconduct.
The court has scheduled the next mention of the case for September 8, 2025, to confirm the outcome of the DPP’s review.
Both Ringtone and Ayora have denied the charges and are currently out on Ksh1 million cash bail each.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) formally charged Ringtone and Alfred Juma Ayora in May, accusing them of conspiracy to defraud, false swearing, and perjury.
According to prosecutors, the duo allegedly tried to unlawfully seize the prime parcel of land in Karen – registered as NAIROBI/BLOCK 99/142 – by claiming Ayora had lived on it for over 20 years. They allegedly intended to use this claim to justify ownership under the legal doctrine of adverse possession, also known as squatter’s rights.
In Kenya, adverse possession allows a person to claim ownership of land they don’t legally own if they can prove uninterrupted, open, and exclusive occupation for at least 12 years, as outlined under the Limitations of Actions Act (Cap 22).
The ODPP claims the alleged scheme took shape on February 28, 2023, and involved falsifying legal claims to take over land owned by Teresia Odhiambo.
Ayora faced additional charges for allegedly swearing a false affidavit before Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths S.M. Katonya, falsely declaring he had occupied the land for two decades. Prosecutors further accuse him of perjury in Case No. E012 of 2023 (OS) before the Environment and Land Court, where he stood as petitioner against Odhiambo and the Chief Land Registrar.
Authorities allege that Ayora knowingly submitted false statements in court, deliberately misleading judicial officers in an attempt to fraudulently acquire the land.
