Nairobi, March 5 -- A magistrate's court has issued arrest warrants against two businessmen over an alleged Sh4.5 billion fraud at Absa Bank Kenya.

The court ordered the arrest of Charles Hills Jr and Savannah Clinker Ltd director Benson Sande Ndeta after they failed to appear in court to plead to criminal charges.

"A warrant of arrest is hereby issued against the accused, who failed to appear in court to plead to the charges," the magistrate ordered, instructing police to present the suspects in court on March 18, 2026.

The arrest warrant followed a request by the State prosecutor, who informed the magistrate that the High Court had dismissed a constitutional petition filed by Mr Ndeta seeking to halt his prosecution.

Prosecutors all...