Former top detective narrates how gang spiked his drink

A senior detective yesterday told the court how a gang administered stupefying drugs to him at a club in Juja in March last year before stealing a total of Sh1.15 million from his bank account.

While giving his testimony before the Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, the former head of Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) Paul Maingo narrated to the court how he met the suspects who later stole his money, mobile phones, watch, and national ID and ATM cards among other items.

Maingo, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), had that day been approached by a colleague who wanted to be escorted to his home, using his official car.

He drove and dropped him off at his home and on the way back he entered DJ Club in Juja and ordered a drink.

A few minutes later, two women and a man entered and sat next to his table and ordered their drinks.
One of the women shifted from their table and requested Maingo to join him in his table, and he accepted.

The woman introduced herself as Janet, adding that she was working in the US but was in the country for a holiday before going back.

Maingo told the court that was the only conversation between him and the said woman he could recall.

“Your honour, that was the only conversation I remember between me and the lady who I came to know later as the first accused person,” said Maingo.

Sitting in car

The senior detective said he found himself inside his car the following day, about a kilometre from the club. He was sitting on the co-driver’s seat and the car’s engine was running. “I had vomited in the car, feeling dizzy and I could feel that my mind was not stable; the engine of the car was on,” he said.

He later realised that his two phones—Samsung S22 and Samsung S9—and a wristwatch all valued at Sh305,000, were missing. He also realised his wallet which had Sh15,000, two Absa bank ATM cards, his national ID card and other personal documents were missing.

Contacted bank

He drove to his house and immediately his driver Corporal Mwangangi appeared, he used his phone to contact Absa bank relations manager and asked whether his two accounts had been interfered with.

“The bank relation manager called me shortly to inform me several transactions had been conducted during the night,” said the officer.

The bank then produced the statements of the transactions which were conducted on that night which amounted to Sh1,154,084.

He proceeded to Beleview Hospital (South C) where he was treated and given a medical report issued by a Dr A Valerie.

He further reported the incident at Ruiru Police Station, KICC Police Station and to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters. The investigations commenced that led to the arrest of four suspects who were linked with the offence.

Maingo positively identified Evelyn Wambui Mutura, who on that fateful day introduced herself to the officer as ‘Janet’ at the club. She was charged alongside Janet Wanjiru Ngugi, David Wanjogo Kariuki and Ibrahim Mwangi Kiria.

The court heard that the offence was committed on the night between March 20 and 21, 2023, at DJ Club at Kimbo junction on Thika Road, within Kiambu county.

They further faced other charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, stupefying in order to commit a felony, engaging in organising criminal activities and being in possession of ID cards belonging to other persons.

The matter was adjourned to April 10 and 11 when the hearing will continue.