Court Rejects Bail Revocation in Fintech Fraud Case, Issues Warning
A Federal High Court in Addis Ababa has denied a prosecutor's request to revoke the bail of several influencers accused of fintech fraud. The court issued a warning regarding public comments on active cases but ruled that the defendants' actions did not warrant imprisonment.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between judicial sub judice rules and the use of social media by defendants to manage their public image during high-profile legal proceedings.
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Federal High Court in Addis Ababa has rejected a prosecutor’s petition seeking to revoke the bail of prominent artists and social media influencers accused of involvement in a major “Fintech” investment fraud scheme, issuing them a stern judicial warning instead.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, August 7, 2026, followed an urgent state petition asking the court to place the defendants in custody after they made public statements regarding their ongoing trial during a recent social media appearance.
In a morning session, defense attorneys submitted a formal written response alongside oral arguments explaining why the accused figures had commented publicly on the active court matter.
The defendants argued that their statements on the popular social media program “Igrenya” were made strictly to defend their personal reputations against widespread online harassment and defamation, rather than to subvert the legal process.
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