Former bank manager in Sh653m theft case acquitted

Omunga was accused of stealing at least Sh328 million from the bank, in the first count, and another Sh325 million, in the second count. [iStockphoto]

A court in Nairobi has freed a former Standard Chartered Bank employee accused of stealing Sh653 million from the lender in 2013 due to lack of evidence.

Milimani court magistrate Peter Ooko found claims against Collins Omuga Mackenzie could not stand as there was no proof he was behind the robbery said to have led to the loss of the money.

The magistrate noted that none of the witnesses called by the prosecution gave evidence that proving Omuga has a case to answer.

"I do hold that the prosecution failed to prove, to the required standard, the two counts as preferred against the accused person. I do hereby do find him not guilty as charged and therefore proceed to acquit him forthwith," ruled Ooko.

Omuga had been charged with two counts. He was accused of stealing at least Sh328 million from the bank, in the first count, and another Sh325 million, in the second count.

He denied the charges.

The state argued that the former operations manager had access to the money as an employee and called in six witnesses to support its case.

However, the accused argued that the person who defrauded the lender used his staff user name.

According to the state, Sh328 million was linked to an identity of a loan advanced to Alaf in Tanzania. The money ended up in China's Grate Land Consulting Company instead of Standard Chartered Bank in Japan.

Omuga, on the other hand, told the court that during his employment, he never came into contact with any cash money. While disputing the claim, he argued that none of his colleagues linked him to the theft.

The magistrate agreed with Omuga, observing that it was only the ICT staff who would have shed light on what happened.