Equity Bank scholars deny stealing Sh600,000

Two beneficiaries of Equity Bank’s Pre-University programme were yesterday charged with stealing Sh600,000.

Ian Muraguri and Douglas Charagu (pictured) denied the charges before Milimani Principal Magistrate Francis Andayi.

They were charged that on April 5 while working as tellers at the bank’s Githurai Branch, they stole Sh600,000.

The two, who were not represented by a lawyer, were granted Sh200,000 bond with an alternative of Sh100,000 cash bail.

However, the two told court they were not in a position to secure bond or cash bail.

“Your honour, I don’t have parents , I have been on sponsorship through my education. I can’t raise the cash bail,” Muraguri told court.

Charagu said he, too, is an orphan. “Your honour, my education journey is as a result of sponsorship and my job in the bank is also some form of sponsorship. I rely on a guardian and as such, I cannot raise bail,” he said.

A man who was seated in the public gallery, raised up his hand and told the court that he was the guardian of the two.

“Your honour, my name is Wilson Kanoga and I am the guardian to these men. They are former street boys whom we took to school,” Kanoga said.

After listening to him, the magistrate reviewed the bond terms to Sh50,000 cash bail with Kanoga standing as their surety.The hearing was set for May 15.