Inmates stage fake video to extort money from accused’s family
The Namibian Police have launched an investigation into an alleged attempt by Okahandja trial-awaiting prison inmates to extort money from the family of another trial-awaiting inmate by staging a fake assault on him and demanding money from his family in exchange for supposed protection in the holding cells.
The alleged extortion attempt is linked to a video in which a man, David Kenaihe, appears to be assaulted by other inmates, a fake scheme to which he reportedly confessed to have willingly participated in order to get money for his family.
Kenaihe was arrested after allegedly hitting another man with an empty bottle on the head on 30 November. The man died from his injuries on 2 December. Inmates allegedly came up with the idea to film a staged incident in which Kenaihe appears to be assaulted.
The video was then reportedly sent to the man’s family, with inmates claiming they would protect him from future assaults if they were paid N$1 000.
Investigation unveils scam
In a statement issued on Thursday, Namibian police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, however, refuted the assault, emphasising that an investigation found it was a deliberate attempt to extort money from the family.
This was established after Kenaihe was taken to the hospital, where no visible external or internal injuries were diagnosed.
"[Kenaihe] was taken to the hospital for a medical examination, and it was established by the doctor that there were no visible external or internal injuries observed,” Shikwambi.
During further questioning he "revealed that they, as inmates, came up with a play or act, which is recorded on video and then sent to relatives to solicit money from them”, Shikwambi said.
“The media and public are informed that the said incident was an orchestrated act to solicit money. The alleged assault victim is alive and did not sustain any injury as indicated in the video,” said Shikwambi in the statement.
She added that an investigation is ongoing into the matter, and those involved could face criminal charges for attempted bribery as well as for smuggling a cellphone into the police holding cells.
The alleged extortion attempt is linked to a video in which a man, David Kenaihe, appears to be assaulted by other inmates, a fake scheme to which he reportedly confessed to have willingly participated in order to get money for his family.
Kenaihe was arrested after allegedly hitting another man with an empty bottle on the head on 30 November. The man died from his injuries on 2 December. Inmates allegedly came up with the idea to film a staged incident in which Kenaihe appears to be assaulted.
The video was then reportedly sent to the man’s family, with inmates claiming they would protect him from future assaults if they were paid N$1 000.
Investigation unveils scam
In a statement issued on Thursday, Namibian police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, however, refuted the assault, emphasising that an investigation found it was a deliberate attempt to extort money from the family.
This was established after Kenaihe was taken to the hospital, where no visible external or internal injuries were diagnosed.
"[Kenaihe] was taken to the hospital for a medical examination, and it was established by the doctor that there were no visible external or internal injuries observed,” Shikwambi.
During further questioning he "revealed that they, as inmates, came up with a play or act, which is recorded on video and then sent to relatives to solicit money from them”, Shikwambi said.
“The media and public are informed that the said incident was an orchestrated act to solicit money. The alleged assault victim is alive and did not sustain any injury as indicated in the video,” said Shikwambi in the statement.
She added that an investigation is ongoing into the matter, and those involved could face criminal charges for attempted bribery as well as for smuggling a cellphone into the police holding cells.
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