​Former police officer arrested over Kapris case

A former police officer has been arrested over the alleged murder of notorious bank robber, William Nanua Kapris.

The accused was taken to the police headquarters yesterday, interrogated and charged with the wilful murder and the unlawful killing of William Nanua Kapris and Raphael Walimini.

It is alleged that the former police officer with his men had shot the late Kapris and Walimini at close range; not during a shootout.

The arrest follows fresh police investigation from the Police Crimes Unit into the alleged murder, where those that were with the deceased during the time of the alleged shooting were interviewed.

Deputy Commissioner Operations, Jim Andrews, has confirmed the arrest. However, he has put a stop on further arrests of other people involved because the coronial inquiry has not been exhausted.

He sighted a letter from the Coroner’s office, received on the 11th of September 2017, that in order for the Coronial Inquest to be revived, approval needs to come from the Attorney General.

The new coroner, who was appointed in 2015, closed the case due to time lapsed.

During the time of death in 2013, there was no coroner to conduct a coronial inquest.

According to section 7, 3 of the Coroner’s Act, a coronial inquest must be requested and conducted within 12 months of the death.

Therefore if a coronial inquiry is to be revived, the Police Commissioner or the deceased’s family must write to the Attorney General requesting for the Coronial Inquest.

Deputy Commissioner Andrews says the office of the Police Commissioner is now in the process of writing a letter to the Attorney General.

William Nanua Kapris was killed in 2013 after escaping from the Bomana Correctional facilities.

He became a household name following his involvement in two major bank robberies and gold robbery with the alleged involvement of politicians in the robberies.

The Government had spent K4 million for a manhunt following his final escape.

(The late William Nanua Kapris - Picture: The Telegraph)

Author: 
Charmaine Poriambep