Catholic priest, accountant charged with theft of Sh1.7 billion
What you need to know:
- The church’s employees are accused of stealing over Sh1.7 billion, as well as foreign currency to a tune of $100,000 and more than EUR 20,000.
Musoma. Father Karoli Mganga of the Catholic Church in the Bunda Diocese, Mara Region has appeared before the Musoma Resident Magistrate's Court, facing 178 charges, including leading a criminal gang.
Alongside him, the former accountant of the Bunda Diocese, Gerald Mgendigendi also appeared in court.
The accused appeared on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, before Resident Magistrate in Charge, Aloyce Katemana.
Mara Regional Chief Prosecutor, Amoscsye Erasto, read the charges, which include forgery contrary to the Penal Code, Chapter 16, Revised Edition 2022.
The church’s employees are accused of stealing over Sh1.7 billion, as well as foreign currency to a tune of $100,000 and more than EUR 20,000.
"The accused face a total of 178 charges, including leading a criminal gang contrary to the Economic and Organized Crime Control Act, Chapter 200, Revised Edition 2022.
Other charges include money laundering contrary to the Penal Code, Chapter 16, and other offenses," Erasto said.
The accused were not allowed to respond to the charges because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear such cases.
The accused were remanded until August 20, when the case will come up for mention.
