{
  "id": 16213515,
  "title": "Equity staff charged with attempting to hack bank’s computer system, released on bail",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/equity-staff-charged-with-attempting-to-hack-banks-computer-system",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-23T17:53:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/equity-staff-charged-with-attempting-to-hack-banks-computer-system-released-on-bail/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ian Muhia Maina, an employee at Equity Bank, appeared before Milimani Resident Magistrate Irene Thamara and pleaded not guilty to three charges related to hacking the bank's computer system, attempting to steal from the institution, and conspiring to commit a felony. Maina was released on a cash bail of Sh200,000, with an alternative bond option of Sh600,000 pending further proceedings. The court heard that Maina allegedly committed the offences between May 2026 and October 21, 2026, at an undisclosed location in Kenya, along with unknown accomplices. Prosecutors allege that Maina duplicated two Finacle user profiles, VM53601 and BC23924, with the intent of facilitating theft. He faces additional charges of unauthorized access to a computer system, attempted theft by a servant, and conspiracy to commit a felony. Maina denies all charges.",
  "summary": "An Equity Bank employee was released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 after denying charges of hacking the bank’s computer system, attempting to steal from the financial institution and conspiring to commit a felony. Ian Muhia Maina appeared before Milimani Resident Magistrate Irene Thamara, where he pleaded not guilty to three charges arising from allegations [...] The post Equity staff charged with…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}