Pilot Eric Agola Lugalia Charged with Forging Signature of Moi’s Son in KSh 250M Karen Land Fraud Case

Eric Agola Lugalia, a 39-year-old pilot, on Jonathan Kipkemboi Toroitich’s land

In a major land fraud case, authorities charged 39-year-old pilot Eric Agola Lugalia with forging a title deed and multiple signatures, including that of the late Jonathan Kipkemboi Toroitich, son of former President Daniel Arap Moi.

The alleged forgery was part of a scheme to fraudulently acquire a KSh 250 million parcel of land in Karen, Nairobi. Eric Ogola Lugalia now faces 11 counts of forgery, creating false documents, and presenting them to officers at the DCI’s land fraud unit. He has pleaded not guilty to all.

According to the prosecution, Eric Agola Lugalia created a fraudulent document to defraud Stuart Gerald Cullinan Herd of parcel IR No. 1160/308 (original 1160/248/2), located along Bogani Road and measuring 1.970 hectares. A fake certificate of title, IR No. 99256 LR No. 1160/308 (original No. 1160/248/2) dated August 2, 2005, is another charge against him.

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Further allegations state that Lugalia falsely represented the certificate as genuine, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Lands.

The prosecution asserts that he forged the signatures of three land registrars—Fredric Indoko Lubullelah, George Gichimu Gichihi, and Peter Mburu Ng’ang’a, all stationed at Ardhi House, Nairobi. Additionally, he allegedly forged the signature of Jonathan Kipkemboi Toroitich on a sale agreement dated January 15, 2015, and on a land transfer instrument dated March 12, 2015.

Lugalia is accused of presenting these forged documents as authentic, attested to by High Court advocate Sonye J. Ondari.

On July 1, Lugalia allegedly presented the forged certificate, sale agreement, and transfer document to Sergeant Lawson Shuma at DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road.

Appearing before Milimani Principal Magistrate Muthoni Nzibe, Lugalia pleaded not guilty. His lawyers requested reasonable bail terms, highlighting an ongoing High Court civil case regarding the land’s ownership.

“This case commenced while there is a pending superior court case to determine the true owner since both Lugalia and Herd claim to be the bona fide owner,” Magistrate Nzibe noted.

State prosecutor Winnie Moraa did not oppose the bail application. Magistrate Nzibe granted Lugalia release on a KES 300,000 bond with one surety or KES 150,000 cash bail. She also denied a request to bar the media from reporting on the arraignment. The court has scheduled the case’s mention for July 21.