By Staff Reporter
(Nairobi, Kenya) — A ruling has been issued on the pleas submitted by actors and TikTokers suspected of involvement in the “Fintech” investment fraud scheme. The prosecution has also filed a petition regarding statements the defendants made on social media.
Prominent artists and TikTokers, detained previously on suspicion of committing large-scale fraud under the guise of “Fintech” investment, received bail and gained permission to follow their cases outside custody.
The Federal High Court, Lideta Division, previously reviewed the defendants’ pleas and the prosecution’s responses, adjourning the ruling to today, July 29, 2018 E.C. (August 5, 2026).
During today’s court session, the defendants argued that “we only did advertising work, not computer-based fraud.” The court fully rejected the pleas submitted by the first defendant (5 pages) and the other defendants (6 pages each).
Following the defendants’ recent appearance and statements on a social media page called “Igrenya” (The Pedestrian), the prosecution filed a 5-page petition with the court.
In its petition, the prosecution argued that making statements on an ongoing court case interferes with the judicial process, requesting that the court rule on the petition before its two-month recess or treat the matter as an emergency to hear it during the recess period since the act constitutes a crime.
The defendants’ lawyers stated that they needed time to read and understand the petition, requesting an adjournment because social media journalist Teklehaimanot Adane and lawyer Abebaw Abebe—who were present during the statements—were absent from court.
After hearing both sides, the court acknowledged that everyone possesses a constitutional right to free speech and expression. However, to verify details regarding statements made on a legally pending case, the court ordered journalist Teklehaimanot Adane and lawyer Abebaw Abebe to appear in court and give testimony, adjourning the case to October 12, 2026.
__
Join our Telegram Channel: t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. To share information or for submission, email info@borkena.com