Tororo municipal officials caught in State House Anti-Corruption Unit raid appear in court
Three officials from Tororo Municipality have been arraigned before the Anti Corruption Court, weeks after they were arrested during an abrupt raid in Tororo. The officials are are municipal engineer Dennis Okatch, roads inspector Etuku Ejolu, and the town clerk Akuma Muzamil.
Prosecution led by Senior Assistant DPP Alice Komuhangi alleges that the there co accused engaged in activities that caused financial loss to their employer, amounted to abuse of office and conspired to defraud their employer.
It is alleged that the trio and others still at large during the month of December 2018 at Tororo municipal council processed payment worth 95.522.549 shillings to Total Tororo service station without following procurement procedure contrary to the Anti Corruption Act 2009.
It is also alleged that the trio processed payment worth 11.340.000 as gratuity to road gang casual labourers who are not entitled to it. The prosecution also queried is payment of 3.120.000 to one of the accused Etutu Ekoju as a tyres supplier.
The hearing is also looking into the purchase of spares for a grader worth 5.980.000 shillings. The payment was allegedly made to one of the accused Etutu Ekoju and an invoice issued by FAW Africa Group Limited.
The trio face nine counts spread across the offenses of abuse of office, causing financial loss and conspiracy to defraud. The trio have entered a not guilty plea.
Prosecution has asked for more time stating that investigations are still on going
The trio was arrested in a raid by officials from the State House Anti Corruption Unit and detectives from the CID headquarters after complaints from area MP Apollo Yeri who raised the red flag over misuse of the road fund.
Bail application hearing on going now.
UPDATE
Dennis Okatch and Etutu Ekoju have been granted cash bail of seven million shillings each. Their sureties have been bonded not cash 50million shillings.
Akuma Muzamil has been denied bail for lack of substantive surety.
