Huge financial losses and life survival tactics has led to Brevin Lugembe, being charged with conspiracy to steal Ksh24,661,806 from Equity Bank while working together with accomplices who did not appear in court.
A city lawyer cited the intelligence and professional capacities in the defense of the janitor accused of stealing the money.
“Your honour, my client is a cleaner at the said institution. I don’t think he has the capacity to siphon this kind of money,” the lawyer told the court.
In a similar case, three women were accused of altering data of the Consolidated Bank’s core banking system on different occasions between December 31 and January 7 leading to a loss of Ksh 24,588,800 after conspiring to steal.
Speaking of the accused, lawyer Boniface Nyamu told the court, “Your honour, it is ridiculous that at her age (59), the DCI can charge her with altering computer data. She cannot even operate a smartphone.”
The prosecution asked Milimani Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku to consolidate the two matters.
The women denied the charges and were each released on a bond of Ksh300,000 or Ksh200,000 cash bail.
Lugembe was denied any favourable bail terms. The court ordered that he be remanded until the case is mentioned for consolidation.