WINDHOEK: The two suspects arrested in Opuwo in connection with the theft of N.dollars 2 million from Bank Windhoek, were denied bail when they made their first appearance in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The accused, 34-year-old Untag Kamati and 19-year-old Fenni Megameno Ankoshi, appeared before Magistrate Eden Kuneni Amutenya. They face charges of conspiracy to commit the offence of theft, and theft. The State is alleging that the duo conspired with Bank Windhoek employee Nico Rebebe to steal N.dollars 2 505 845 on 13 January. Rebebe has since been on the run and is wanted by the police.

State Prosecutor Johanna Hamunyela opposed the granting of bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, that investigations are at an early stage, and that the suspects may interfere with State witnesses and police investigations if they are granted bail.

Presiding Magistrate Eden Amutenya in the meantime informed the suspects of their rights to a formal bail application. Kamati and Ankoshi indicated that th
ey will be applying for legal aid lawyers through the Directorate of Legal Aid. The matter was postponed to 11 April 2024 for further police investigations.

Meanwhile, the police in Rundu also arrested six suspects in connection with the same incident. Their arrests were confirmed by Deputy Commissioner Kaunapawa Shikwambi in a press statement, which said the suspects will appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Bank Windhoek has offered a reward of N.dollars 20 000 to anyone with information that could lead to the successful apprehension of Rebebe.

The Namibian Police Force initially reported that Rebebe transferred N.dollars 200 million to two separate bank accounts, and Bank Windhoek has since said the potential loss is less than N.dollars 2 million ‘thanks to vigilant staff action and robust systems and controls within the bank.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency