UGANDA: Six bankers charged over pension money

Six Stanbic Bank staff were yesterday charged with causing loss of Shs298 million meant for pensioners. The money in question, that was irregularly withdrawn, was meant for about 34 pensioners.

The suspects, who appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court include Mr Denis Mpanga, 31, the manager of Stanbic Bank Kikubo branch in Kampala, Ms Aisha Nalumansi Mubiru, 30, a supervisor at the same branch, Mr Robert Muhoozi, 46, the manager at Mpigi branch, Mr Fred Mulindwa, 45, a banker, Mr Bright Twinamasiko, 28, teller at Cooperate branch in Kampala and Ms Hanifah Nakanjako, 34, a manager.

The seventh suspect, Mr Molisto Abaine, a former cashier, did not appear in court for plea taking, prompting court to issue warrant of arrest for him. The suspects bankers denied the charge. By press time, the suspects were still in court, applying for bail. Their chances of being released were, however, minimal since it was already past the banking hour of 5pm.

The theft

A source from the bank, who spoke to the Daily Monitor on condition of anonymity, yesterday evening, said the suspects had allegedly formed a racket and colluded with outsiders to present forged documents, pretending to be pensioners.

The source said they suspects reportedly presented driving permits of pensioners with their photographs and withdrew their money without their authorisation. According to the source, about 34 pensioners were affected by the racket. The source said the bank had lost more than Shs1.2 billion since it had to pay the rightful pensioners, whose money had been irregularly withdrawn under its care.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly authorised payment of different sums of money amounting to Shs298 million from the accounts of pensioners Pearl Mutibwa Katumba and Mr Lawrence Pario, without their authorisation.

The money in question was allegedly deducted from their different bank accounts in different amounts. 

The charge sheet further shows that Mr Mutibwa was the most affected as he lost more than Shs250 million compared to Mr Pario, who lost Shs4.4 million. The cyber crime was committed last year between December 4 and 24. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years upon conviction.

Source: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Six-bankers-charged-over-pension-money/-/688334/1873378/-/bvhytx/-/index.html