Rebebe yet to apply for bail, two co-accused released
Fourteen months after his arrest, former banker and fraud accused Nico Rebebe - allegedly the mastermind behind an attempted N$200 million theft from Bank Windhoek’s Opuwo branch - is yet to formally apply for bail.
Rebebe surrendered himself to the police in March last year after spending nearly two months on the run. His arrest was followed by the detention of 15 additional suspects linked to the heist, which allegedly took place on 13 January 2024.
So far, only two of the 16 accused - Megameno Ankoshi and Rosalia Sheengala - have been granted bail. They were released on 28 May last year, each on N$1 000 bail.
The group last appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court on 5 November 2024, with the case postponed to Monday, 19 May, for further investigations.
Bank Windhoek initially reported that less than N$2 million had been stolen. However, the bank later confirmed that the syndicate had in fact targeted N$200 million, but swift intervention significantly reduced the amount. The actual sum recovered, if any, remains undisclosed, with investigations still ongoing.
According to police reports, Rebebe allegedly used electronic transfers to funnel funds to several co-accused, many of whom are cattle herders from Kavango East. These individuals were reportedly lured into the scheme under the false promise of employment and were instructed to open bank accounts, which Rebebe then allegedly used for the illicit transfers.
Additionally, Rebebe is believed to have left the bank premises on the day of the incident with a backpack containing N$500 000 in cash.
During the November court session, his legal aid lawyer Natji Tjirera pressed the state to conclude its investigations. Namibian Sun understands that Rebebe plans to formally apply for bail later this month.
The alleged heist
According to earlier reports, Rebebe and his girlfriend checked into an upmarket lodge in Opuwo on 12 January 2024 - just a day before the alleged theft. Though a regular client at the establishment, this was the first time he booked an overnight stay.
The following morning, he reportedly clocked in at 07:00, becoming the first staff member to arrive at the bank. At around 08:00, after his colleagues arrived, he allegedly stepped out to buy beer from a nearby restaurant - reportedly to "calm his nerves."
Upon returning to the bank, Rebebe allegedly executed two suspicious transactions before making phone calls believed to have coordinated ATM withdrawals by syndicate members nationwide. He then allegedly unplugged the bank's telephone lines and tampered with the CCTV system.
At approximately 11:30, he informed colleagues he was stepping out. He left the premises with a backpack, which is believed to have contained half a million Namibian dollars in cash. He subsequently went into hiding.
Rebebe is believed to have run out of diabetes medication while in hiding, prompting his return to Opuwo, where police arrested him at his girlfriend’s residence.
Rebebe surrendered himself to the police in March last year after spending nearly two months on the run. His arrest was followed by the detention of 15 additional suspects linked to the heist, which allegedly took place on 13 January 2024.
So far, only two of the 16 accused - Megameno Ankoshi and Rosalia Sheengala - have been granted bail. They were released on 28 May last year, each on N$1 000 bail.
The group last appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court on 5 November 2024, with the case postponed to Monday, 19 May, for further investigations.
Bank Windhoek initially reported that less than N$2 million had been stolen. However, the bank later confirmed that the syndicate had in fact targeted N$200 million, but swift intervention significantly reduced the amount. The actual sum recovered, if any, remains undisclosed, with investigations still ongoing.
According to police reports, Rebebe allegedly used electronic transfers to funnel funds to several co-accused, many of whom are cattle herders from Kavango East. These individuals were reportedly lured into the scheme under the false promise of employment and were instructed to open bank accounts, which Rebebe then allegedly used for the illicit transfers.
Additionally, Rebebe is believed to have left the bank premises on the day of the incident with a backpack containing N$500 000 in cash.
During the November court session, his legal aid lawyer Natji Tjirera pressed the state to conclude its investigations. Namibian Sun understands that Rebebe plans to formally apply for bail later this month.
The alleged heist
According to earlier reports, Rebebe and his girlfriend checked into an upmarket lodge in Opuwo on 12 January 2024 - just a day before the alleged theft. Though a regular client at the establishment, this was the first time he booked an overnight stay.
The following morning, he reportedly clocked in at 07:00, becoming the first staff member to arrive at the bank. At around 08:00, after his colleagues arrived, he allegedly stepped out to buy beer from a nearby restaurant - reportedly to "calm his nerves."
Upon returning to the bank, Rebebe allegedly executed two suspicious transactions before making phone calls believed to have coordinated ATM withdrawals by syndicate members nationwide. He then allegedly unplugged the bank's telephone lines and tampered with the CCTV system.
At approximately 11:30, he informed colleagues he was stepping out. He left the premises with a backpack, which is believed to have contained half a million Namibian dollars in cash. He subsequently went into hiding.
Rebebe is believed to have run out of diabetes medication while in hiding, prompting his return to Opuwo, where police arrested him at his girlfriend’s residence.
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