Mzuzu Magistrate Court has denied bail to three suspects who were arrested in connection to the K500 million robbery at Standard Bank in the city.
First Grade Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri told the court on Thursday that granting bail to the suspects might jeopardise police investigations considering that the offence was conducted in a complex manner.
However, the Magistrate ordered the state to finish investigations by October 2, failing which the three suspects will be given bail.
The suspects are Standard Bank Asset and ATM Custodian Charles Moffat, Amos Jere, a guard who was manning the bank’s premises on the material day of the robbery and Ken Kamwambi, a police officer based at Police Mobile Service (PMS) B Company division in Limbe, Blantyre.
Magistrate Phiri told the court their continued detention should not been seen as pre-trial punishment as it has not been proven that the suspects committed the crime.
“If the accused persons will remain on remand, police will have an opportunity to contact them on verification, or even if they will be needed to be taken to other regions or districts to assist the police in terms of identification since some suspects are still at large.
“It is my view that the bail should be denied until October 2, when investigations will have been completed,” said Magistrate Phiri.
He stressed that whether police will have completed investigations or not the suspects will be granted bail.
