State Drops Theft and Assault Charges against Singer Cindy

The Director of Public Prosecutions Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has withdrawn theft, assault and inciting violence charges against singer Cinderella Sanyu Okuyo commonly known as Cindy.

The charges were withdrawn before the City Hall Court presided over by the Senior Principal  Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu when the matter in which the musician and two others are accused of assaulting Dr Tonny Stone Luggya came up for mention.  

Cindy was jointly charged with two Congolese Nationals including Kevin Nyembo a resident of Najjera, Kira Municipality in Wakiso District and her business partner Gabriel Ramathan, a businessman and resident of Semawata Road Ntinda Nakawa Division in Kampala District. 

The prosecution alleged that Gabriel and Nyembo on December 15th 2023 at Bukoto in Kampala District were incited by Cindy to assault Doctor Luggya.

However, the State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho tendered a withdrawal form dated November 19th 2024 in which the DPP said it has lost interest in prosecuting the case against  Cindy. 

In another separate withdrawal form also dated November 19th 2024, the DPP has also withdrawn charges of inciting violence and theft against Cindy’s co-accused Nyembo and Gabriel, thereby leaving them to battle only assault charges. 

The prosecution’s case was that on December 15th 2023, Nyembo and Gabriel stole 11.5 million shillings from Dr Luggya and also assaulted and caused him actual bodily harm.

When the matter came up in Court, State Attorney Yamangusho said  “With me are two withdrawal forms. The first withdrawal form for  A1 (Kevin) and A2 (Gabriel ) on count two of theft and count three of inciting violence. Count one is maintained as per the withdrawal form.”

She also prayed that the court discharge Cindy and issue a warrant of arrest against  Gabriel and Nyembo who were not present in Court. 

“Your worship, I also have a withdrawal form dated November 19th 2024 for A2 Cinderella Sanyu on counts one, two and three. As A2 is present in court, I pray she is discharged. I pray for a warrant of arrest against A1 and A3 in count one(assault)”, added Yamangusho. 

Bosco Asasira, Cindy’s lawyer said, that in the interest of justice, they are pleased with the decision of the DPP to withdraw charges against their client as mandated. Asasira prayed that since Cindy was in court, she should be set free accordingly. 

“For A1 and A3, we are pleased that the state has dropped counts of theft and inciting violence. This case has been before the court awaiting the decision of the DPP. A1 and A3 are supposed to be in court today. Instead of a warrant of arrest, I pray for a criminal summons to be issued against them”, said Asasira.

Asasira convinced the Court that his clients were not aware of today’s proceedings and asked that when they fail to appear in the next hearing, a warrant of arrest be issued against them

“The state may even drop the case in the other count one”, he noted. 

In his decision, Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Aisu Nicholas was left with no choice but to set Cindy free unless held on other lawful charges. 

On the strength of the withdrawal form, dated November 19th 2024, the cases against A2 Mrs Cinderella Sanyu in all three counts are hereby withdrawn. She is accordingly discharged and set free on all the three counts unless liable to be held on other lawful charges”, said Aisu.

Aisu has also ordered that the 500,000 shillings cash bail that Cindy paid to regain her freedom should be refunded to her henceforth. 

Equally, the cases against  Gabriel and Nyembo regarding inciting violence and theft are hereby withdrawn on the strength of the withdrawal form dated November 19th 2024. As count one of Assault is maintained against them, and because of the convincing submissions of the Counsel, that I agree with, criminal summons against Gabriel and Kevin are hereby issued against each of them”, Aisu ruled. 

The court has pushed the case for Assault against Gabriel and Nyembo to April  10th 2025 for mention.

The records before Court indicate that trouble for the trio started the night of December 15th  2023 after the Blu*3 concert at Skyz Hotel Naguru where Cindy reportedly teamed up with colleagues to have a fun-filled night after a successful show. Along the way as they were celebrating,  the co-accused inflicted bodily harm on Dr Luggya. The accused maintain their innocence.