In a significant legal development, the High Court has issued a temporary injunction that prohibits the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit from questioning Stanbic Bank’s CEO, Joshua Oigara, or any bank employees regarding large sums deposited into an airline account, which were later reversed. This temporary stay will remain in effect while the court evaluates a petition recently filed by the bank.
Furthermore, Justice Bahati Mwamuye has also restrained the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from pursuing any criminal charges against Oigara and other Stanbic executives until the matter is fully adjudicated. This order is a response to a petition submitted by Stanbic last month, which seeks to prevent the Banking Fraud Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the DPP from taking action against the bank’s leadership in a dispute involving Air Afrik Aviation Ltd.
Stanbic’s legal representative, Hiram Nyabui, argued that the investigations by the DCI concern issues that are already pending before the High Court. Additionally, the bank alleged that law enforcement officers had stationed themselves at its premises with intentions of arresting key officials, a tactic that Stanbic believes could jeopardize the integrity of its petition.
Justice Mwamuye has instructed that the case be revisited on December 10 for additional guidance. In a contrasting response to Stanbic’s petition, Eric Lugalia, Managing Director of Air Afrik Aviation Ltd, has called for the court to allow the DCI to continue its investigation.
“It is crucial for justice that if the petitioners have nothing to hide, they should comply with the issued summons,” Lugalia asserted.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the next court date, where the future of this case and its implications for Stanbic Bank and Air Afrik Aviation Ltd will be further clarified.
