Safaricom employees in court over transferring Safaricom data

Brian Njoroge Wamatu and Simon Billy Kinuthia in the dock at a Milimani court where they were charged with unlawfully copying privileged data to a third party namely Charles Njuguna. [George Njunge/Standard]

Two Safaricom employees were yesterday arraigned before Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi and charged with unlawful transfer of data.

The court was told that Simon Billy Kinuthia and Brian Njoroge Wamatu unlawfully copied and transferred privileged subscribers’ data from Safaricom’s database to a third party named Charles Njuguna Kimani.

The offence allegedly occurred on diverse dates between May 1 and June 7 at Safaricom Centre in Westlands.

The two faced a separate count of demanding money with menace after they allegedly demanded Sh300 million from Safaricom.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution did not object to their release on bond and bail but applied that they present themselves at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations at least twice a week for the next three months.

Their lawyer, however, objected the proposed frequency of visits.

“Your honour, we are not opposed to the prosecution’s application, but we submit that two times a week is pretty cumbersome and tiring; one day a week is good enough,” he said.

The lawyer further told the court his clients risked being sacked if they missed work by virtue of being remanded.

“Your honour, kindly remand my clients at Muthaiga Police Station so that their spouses can process their cash bail easily. These men are not flight risks; they are people with strong social ties and are family men.”

Mr Andayi granted each of the suspects Sh2 million bond, with an alternative of Sh1 million cash bail.

The hearing was fixed for August 6.