K500m bank robbery suspects seek discharge
Three suspects in the K500 million (about $718 000) robbery case at Standard Bank Mzuzu Branch have asked the court to discharge them on the basis that the State is not willing to prosecute the matter.
The suspects—Standard Bank automated teller machine (ATM) custodian Charles Moffat, security guard Amos Jere and police officer Ken Kamwambi—are answering a charge of robbery with violence.
The trio was arrested after robbers broke into Standard Bank Mzuzu Branch on September 3 2014 and went away with an estimated K500 million. However, most of the money was recovered after the robbers were intercepted at Jenda in Mzimba where Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) had mounted a roadblock.
In separate interviews on Thursday, lawyers Christon Ghambi and George Kadzipatike confirmed making an application before the Mzuzu Magistrate’s Court which is yet to set a date for hearing.
They argue that the delays are an indication of unwillingness to prosecute the case.
Ghambi is representing Jere and Moffat whereas Kadzipatike is representing Kamwambi.
State prosecutor Jacob Nambiri said he was yet to be served with the notice of the application to have the case discharged. n
