Six men have been charged at Milimani law court with conspiracy to steal Sh 94.9 property of Quickmart Supermarket Limited.
James Mbatia Kariuki, Ismael Patrick Gitonga, Martin Nderi Nga’nga, Joel Oyuchi Mwelesi, Harrison Mugendi Njeru and Ronald Ouma Oluu jointly with others who were not before court were charged with conspiring to steal the money on November 6, 2023, at Nairobi within the republic of Kenya.
The said money was the property of Quickmart Supermarket Limited and during the time of the offence the cash was on a transit taken to the bank.
They were also charged with stealing and handling of stolen goods contrary with the law.
The court heard that the accused persons jointly with others not in court stole cash worth Sh 94,918,750 from a Wells Fargo motor vehicle registration number KBA 517 T while the said money was on a transit to Family bank.
Martin Nderi Nga’nga separately was charged with another offence of handling of stolen goods whereby he was found in possession of Sh 9,101,300 at Roybain Heights in Nairobi within Nairobi county knowingly the said cash to be stolen goods.
Ismael Patrick Gitonga and Martin Nderi Nga’nga were separately further charged with destroying of evidence contrary to section 116 of the penal code.
The prosecution told the court that on November 11, 2023 at Mihang’o area within Nairobi County while knowing the motor vehicle registration number KBM 751 W Toyota Fielder white in colour may be required as evidence in court proceedings willfully rendered it incapable of identification with intention of the vehicle not to be used as evidence.
Ismael Mbatia and Patrick Gitonga also faced with a charge of rendering the metallic blue box which contained the money incapable of identification with intent to conceal the evidence which they knew to be required as evidence in the judicial proceeding.
They appeared before a Milimani Chief magistrate Lucas Onyina and denied the charges.
The prosecution did not oppose their release on bond but urged the court to put stringent terms considering the amount indicated on the charge sheet,
“Your honour I am not opposing the release of the accused on bond but I urge the court to put stringent terms considering the figures on the charge sheet,” said the state prosecutor Anderson Gikunda.
The defence lawyer for James Mbatia and Patrick Gitonga requested the court for leniency on granting bond terms indicating that his clients had been in custody since November 9, this year and their families are in ruin being sole bread weaners,
“Your honour I pray this court to consider the time my clients had been in custody and for their families sake be lenient on granting bond terms,” said the lawyer.
He also told the court that Kariuki had been working for the complainant in this matter for 13 years and he will not interfere with witnesses or Investigation in this matter.
The lawyer further requested the court to release the motor vehicle belonging to Kariuki which he had been operating with as taxi,
“Your honor I plead with this court to release the motor vehicle to the family of my client since it is not related on this matter,” pleaded the lawyer.
In giving directions the magistrate directed the accused to remain in custody until December 1, 2023, when their bond terms will be determined.
