Image: FILE
A magistrate has granted the prosecution more time to consolidate criminal cases against 14 suspects linked to electronic fraud through hacking into a bank system.
When the cases came up for mention yesterday before Kiambu senior principal Stella Atambo, senior state counsel Christine Mbevi applied to have the cases consolidated.
The suspects are Grace Wanjku Kamau, Abdikarim Yussuf Abdi, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, John Munala Seka, John Gitonga Kamara, Paul Njoroge Ng’ang’a, Patrick Wafula Shakaba, Brayan Okombo Onjula and Titus Mwinzi Muthama .
The magistrate allowed the application and directed the prosecution to put all the files together for consolidation on April 5.
She also directed the prosecutor to ensure copies of the consolidated charge sheet are supplied to the defence lawyers before the consolidation date.
All the accused persons are linked to electronic fraud through hacking into bank systems.
They are charged with conspiring to steal over Sh135.4 million from the National Bank of Kenya.
The accused are among 131 other suspects whom DCI George Kinoti is pursuing in connection with electronic fraud through hacking into bank systems.
They were brought to court separately when they presented themselves to the DCI’s office after learning they were being sought by detectives over the alleged crime.
Each of them is out on a Sh1 million bond with the alternative of Sh500,000 cash bail.
They also face other charges of stealing Sh2 million from the National Bank of Kenya, handling stolen money and conspiracy to steal Sh131,402,700 on diverse dates between December 18 and 20 last year.
They suspects are further charged with intent to steal, altered data in a computer system – namely NBK database – by altering 49 clients’ accounts thereby causing loss of Sh6,982,623 from NBK.
DCI Kinoti has so far obtained arrest warrants issued by Kiambu courts for 79 wanted suspects, while the remaining 52 were issued by Nairobi’s Milimani courts.
This followed application by the prosecution that the suspects were still at large and that detectives wanted warrants of arrest to be issued so as to circulate the same in various police stations countrywide.
DCI has also requested members of the public who may have any information about their whereabouts to “contact DCI – ECCU Section or at your nearest police station. You can also call or sms +254772627435, 0203343412, (+254)20-2861097.”