A Nairobi pastor accused of trying to empty Ksh855,000 from an account using a fake identity card on Thursday, December 29 maintained his innocence at the Milimani Law Courts.
Appearing before senior principal magistrate Esther Kimilu, the Buruburu-based pastor pleaded not guilty to using the doctored ID card to withdraw Ksh 420,000 from his victim's account.
He also denied using the documentation to make a second withdrawal of Ksh435,000 during which he was arrested after his image did not correspond with the one in their system.
According to the prosecution, he affixed his image on the victim's ID before presenting it to the teller and also forged his signature to withdraw the money.
Six charges were filed against him including forging a national ID card, stealing from a bank, attempted theft from a bank, uttering a forged document, and impersonation.
The accused denied all charges and told the court that he was incapable of committing such atrocities. He subsequently requested to be released on bond.
Kimilu heard from the prosecution that the two withdrawals were committed on December 21 and 24.
However, the magistrate denied his plea and instead offered to release him on a Ksh400,00 cash bail. The pre-trial hearing was scheduled for January 11.
Members of his congregation of the Eastlands-church run by the accused were present in court to back the pastor.
The victim adds to the list of Kenyans who have lost money in their bank accounts to criminals. A majority have had their accounts cleared through mobile banking platforms.
Most criminals call their targets on the pretext of being mobile service providers and lure them to give them information on their lines.
In quick successions, their sim cards are swapped and they use the gathered information to withdraw cash from mobile money wallets and accounts.
