Pension scam: DPP tells court not to lift orders on suspects

L-R (front) Mr Christopher Obey, Mr Ishakah Ssentongo, (back) Mr Steven Lwanga and Mr Jimmy Lwamafa enter court on Tuesday in Kampala. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA 

By ANTHONY WESAKA

Posted  Thursday, January 31  2013 at  02:00

In Summary

Suspicion. Prosecution said there were high chances that the suspects’ properties and investments were being disposed of.

The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has asked the Anti-Corruption Court not to lift the orders of of freezing bank accounts, restricting transfer of movable properties of ghost pensions suspects.

On November 8, 2012, the DPP secured a court order from Nabweru Magistrate’s Court, among others; freezing the bank accounts of Mr Christopher Obey, the Principal accountant in the Public Service ministry and that of Mr David Oloka Japian, the senior accounts assistant.

The DPP had argued that there was a need to freeze the bank accounts and restrict the movement and management of assets belonging to Mr Obey and his co-accused, claiming the properties were acquired using money stolen from government and the matter was still under investigation.

However, the suspects have sought court orders to lift the orders, saying among others that the Nabweru court did not have the jurisdiction to issue those orders.

The application is set to be presented today before the head of the Anti-Corruption Court, Justice Paul Mugamba.

In a sworn in affidavit before the Anti-Corruption Court this week, Assistant Superintendent of police, Benson Wathum stated that he was one of the detectives investigating the suspects for allegedly acquiring a lot of wealth by embezzling government funds.

The detective stated that the suspects had obtained the massive wealth including big chucks of land, houses, and “fat” bank accounts in the names of their children, wives and relatives.

“Between 2009 and 2011, the 1, 2 and 3 respondents, (Mr Obey, Mr Oloka and Mr Peter Ssajabi) with others conspired and stole over Shs200 billion from the government and acquired a number of properties including; land, buildings, motor vehicles, shares and investments,” Mr Wathum said.

awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com