A Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) former employee charged with stealing over 115.5million from Barclays Bank has denied claims by COTU Secretary General that he never knew the existence of the said account.
While defending himself over the allegations Cornel Ogutu Nyagun said that that COTU leadership knew the existence of the bank account. He further denied forging and uttering false documents form the union saying that the documents used to withdraw money were legal documents.
The accused person while defending himself said that they used to pre-sign cheques adding that the same cheques were signed by him, the secretary general Francis Atwoli and COTU chairman Rajab Mwondi.
He further testified that on 3rd April 2003, 200,000 shillings was withdrawn from the account. On that material day he was at home already suspended from work.
The accused also produces other documents which they used to pre-sign without indicating any amount or date.
“On November 6 2002 I received a call from Atwoli instructing me to meet at (the) parking lot…in order to open the new account for the money which had been wired to COTU,” he said.
Ogutu said Atwoli instructed him “we open a new account where the money would be deposited.”
Being cross examined by his lawyer,he claimed Atwoli was fully aware of the alleged fictitious bank account since he participated in the opening of the account using the official details of COTU and they were together with his co- accused person project coordinator, Millicent Ngeso, who is charged alongside Ogutu. He said my Atwoli was carrying a leather brown briefcase.
Ogutu was charged alongside Millicent Ngeso Ogila, a programme officer, They are out on a cash bail of 10 million cash bail.
The suspects allegedly withdrew the cash purporting they had been authorised to do so by the signatories of the union.
