THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has entered a nolle prosequi in a matter where a 30-year-old banker at Atlas Mara was accused of stealing about 54,000 British Pounds and over US$38,000 belonging to the bank.

The matter against Regis Phiri, who is the son of former Zambia Security Intelligence Services director general Regis Phiri, has since been discontinued.

In this matter, Phiri of Lusaka’s Makeni area was facing 12 counts of theft by servant and fraudulent false accounting.

In count one, it was alleged that on July 5, last year, Phiri, being employed as a banker at Atlas Mara, with intent to defraud, made eight false entries in the Atlas Mara card management system using bank officers’ credentials to show that a payment of 12,000 British pounds was deposited and authorised on account number 45939700, when in fact not.

In count two, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri stole 12,000 British pounds, property of Atlas Mara Bank.

In count three, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri, with intent to defraud, made 11 false entries in the Atlas Mara card management system using bank officers’ credentials to show that a payment of 16,500 British pounds was deposited and authorised on account number 48544800, when in fact not.

In the fourth count, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri stole 16,500 British pounds, the property of Atlas Mara Bank.

In count five, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri, with intent to defraud, made ten false entries in the Atlas Mara card management system using bank officers’ credentials to show that a payment of US$15, 000 was deposited and authorised on account number 48559200, when in fact not.

In count six, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri stole US$15,000, the property of Atlas Mara Bank.

In count seven, it was alleged that on June 29, last year, Phiri with intent to defraud, made 11 false entries in the Atlas Mara card management system using bank officers’ credentials to show that a payment of 16, 500 British pounds was deposited and authorised on account number 48544800, when in fact not.

In count eight, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri stole the 16,500 British pounds.

In count nine, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri, with intent to defraud, made six false entries in the Atlas Mara card management system using bank officers’ credentials to show that a payment of 9,000 British pounds was deposited and authorised on account number 45939700, when in fact not.

In count 10, it was alleged that on the same date, Phiri stole the 9,000 British pounds.

In count 11, was alleged that on the same date, Phiri, with intent to defraud, made 16 false entries in the Atlas Mara card management system using bank officers’ credentials to show that a payment of US$23,500 was deposited and authorised on account number 48559200, when in fact not.

And in the last count, it was alleged that Phiri stole the US$23,500.

Phiri pleaded not guilty to the charges before Lusaka Magistrate Lameck Mwale and trial started.

But when the matter came up for continued trial yesterday, State prosecutor Juvenalis Kamutondole informed the court that the State was not ready to proceed with the matter.

He indicated that he had instructions from the DPP to enter a nolle prosequi in the matter.

In response, Magistrate Mwale informed the accused that in the light of the nolle prosequi that had been entered by the DPP in his favour, the matter against him had been discontinued and he was free to go.

“In light of the nolle prosequi received from the DPP, preceedings against the accused are hereby discontinued and the said accused is accordingly discharged,” said magistrate Mwale.