The suspects, (L-R) Mr Steven Lwanga, Mr Kiwanuka Kunsa, Mr Jimmy
Lwamafa, Mr Francis Lubega, and Mr Christopher Obey at court in Kampala
yesterday. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
By ANTHONY WESAKA
Posted Friday, February 1 2013 at 02:00
Posted Friday, February 1 2013 at 02:00
In Summary
Released. Each of the 31 sureties was given a noncash bond of Shs20 billion.
After spending two nights in Luzira Prison, eight senior public service officials, accused of causing the government a loss of over Shs165 billion by creating 2,605 ghost pensioners and their eventual payment, were each released yesterday on a staggering cash bail of Shs50 million.
The eight including an interdicted permanent secretary, Mr Jimmy Lwamafa, 60, were released by Grade One Magistrate Sarah Langa.
While granting the suspects bail, the magistrate concurred with the plea prosecution to impose the “huge” cash bail, citing the colossal sums of public funds involved in the matter.
“The court cannot close its eyes, given the subject matter involving colossal sums of money, for Shs165 billion,” said Ms Langa.
The court also ordered each of the nine suspects to deposit their passports with court.
The court also ordered each of the nine suspects to deposit their passports with court.
Each of the 31 sureties for the suspects, were bonded at a noncash of Shs20 billion.
The ninth suspect, Mr Francis Lubega,36, (Information System Analyst, Public Service), who did not plead to the charges on Tuesday with others, also took plea and denied the three counts of abuse of office and conspiracy to defraud against him.
He was also released on cash bail of Shs50 million.
The State, led by Ms Jane Abodo, had objected to their release.
The attempt to block their bail came a day after President Museveni re-echoed his call during the NRM/A 27 liberation celebrations in Kasese District to deny bail to certain categories of suspects, including those facing corruption charges.
The affidavit
Ms Abodo presented to court a sworn in affidavit by police detective George Komurungi, telling court to rely on and deny them bail.
The detective argued that the suspects are facing fresh charges of illicit enrichment and embezzlement, among others, and that they could interfere with the witnesses.
In reply, one of the defence lawyers, Mr Evans Ochieng, whose argument the magistrate concurred with, asked court to discard the affidavit of the detective, saying it was not properly filed on court record and that it should be expunged.
The defence lawyers had also asked the court to release the suspects on lenient terms on grounds that their bank accounts have been frozen on orders of police.
The nine officials face charges ranging from causing financial loss, abuse of office, negligence of duty, embezzlement, and conspiracy to defraud to theft.
The suspects return to court on March 1 for mention.
awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com
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