- Three students were charged in the Nairobi court for defrauding Sidian Bank.
- Over Sh7.8 million siphoned from customer accounts.
- Charges include stealing, handling stolen property, and money laundering.
- Suspects are from JKUAT and Thika Technical Training Institute.
Three university students were arraigned in a Nairobi court for allegedly conspiring to defraud Sidian Bank of more than Sh7.8 million.
The suspects, identified as Nelson Christiano Nangole, John Oboni Odidi, and Phostine Hesbon Ochieng, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo. They faced charges of stealing, handling stolen property, and money laundering.
According to investigators, the offence happened on January 11, 2025, at unknown locations in Kenya.
The three are accused of working with other accomplices still at large to siphon Sh7,882,845 from different Sidian Bank accounts. The funds were allegedly diverted into both personal and third-party bank accounts and M-Pesa accounts.
John Oboni Odidi, a JKUAT student, is accused of stealing Sh458,313 from a Sidian Bank customer and moving the funds to his I&M Bank accounts.
Phostine Hesbon Ochieng, a Thika Technical Training Institute student, allegedly diverted Sh451,346 from Kericho Tractor Centre’s account, later transferring the money to his National Bank and M-Pesa accounts.
The case has been set for further mention as detectives continue pursuing other suspects believed to be part of the fraud network.
The case has raised questions about rising cybercrime involving students and financial institutions in Kenya.
