Helford Munene, Charles Mwangi and Julius Ndung'u at Thika Law Courts. They were charged with stealing Sh50 million from KCB's Thika branch. [Photo|the-star.co.ke]
Three men were on Monday arraigned before a Thika Law Court to answer to charges of stealing more than Sh50 million from a bank.
The three suspects, Helford Munene (32), his brother Charles Mwangi (30) and their cousin Julius Ndung’u (32) were being accused of allegedly stealing Sh50 million from the Thika KCB Branch.
Mr Munene is a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Mr Mwangi also graduated with the same degree while Mr Ndung’u graduated with a degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Nairobi.
The prosecution told the court that the suspects between November 18 and 20, jointly with others not before the court entered KCB Thika through an underground tunnel and stole the money.
The money stolen from the bank included Sh52,650,000, 95 Australian dollars, 185 Euros, 1,630 Pounds, Tsh 271,000, Ush947,000, $5,781, 40 South African Rand and five Canadian dollars.
The suspects were further charged with dishonestly handling Sh17,135,000, $1,311, 340 Pounds, 3,660 Euros, five Canadian dollars, 85 Australian dollars, Tsh26,000, 40 South African Rand and Ush20,000.
The suspects were arrested on Saturday morning at Marurui Estate in Kiambu after which they led officers to a house in Joy Land where the money was found.
The suspects, however, denied all the charges before chief magistrate Theresa Murigi and through their lawyer Zacky Odegi filed an application to be released on bail adding that his clients were not flight risk.
The prosecution led by State counsel Stella Oyagi objected the application saying the prosecution had compelling reasons to deny the suspects bond or bail adding that the suspects may interfere with witnesses and that they were likely to flee.
Magistrate Murigi remanded the accused until November 30 when she will determine on whether the suspects will be released on bond.