A Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Otuke District has remanded three individuals to Otuke Government Prison over a series of thefts allegedly committed in Otuke and Agago districts.
The accused include Jimmy Okasa Mokili, 43, a businessman; Jaspher Okengo, 58, the LC3 Chairperson of a yet-to-be-disclosed sub-county; and Sgt Benz Amon, also known as Bonny Okengo, a serving officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Presiding magistrate Irene Aber heard that the accused, alongside others still at large, were involved in coordinated thefts that took place between January and June 2024.
Their arrest followed investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, which led to their arraignment on five counts of theft and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony.
Prosecution told the court that the suspects targeted five individuals from whom they allegedly stole a combined total of over Shs40 million.
The reported amounts include:
- Shs8,025,011 from Richard Ogali
- Shs6,980,013 from Alipio Owuni
- Shs8,010,062 from Anjilo Ojede Okello
- Shs7,954,631 from Purency Ojede
- Shs8,000,060 from Franncesko Azlor
The charges contravene Sections 237 and 244 of the Penal Code Act, which relate to theft, and Section 363, which addresses conspiracy to commit a felony.
All three accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Magistrate Aber denied them bail, ruling that the sureties presented were insufficient.
The suspects have been remanded to Otuke Government Prison until August 19, 2025, when the matter will return to court for further proceedings.