Former TBS boss jailed for abuse of office

Former Tanzania Bureau of Standards Director General at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday before he was sentenced to a total of three years in jail for abuse of office. PHOTO | RAFAEL LUBAVA      

By Rosina John, The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court convicted Ekelege on three counts, each of which carried a one-year jail sentence.

Dar es Salaam. Former Tanzania Bureau of Standard (TBS) director general Charles Ekelege was yesterday jailed for three years for abuse of office.

The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court convicted Ekelege on three counts, each of which carried a one-year jail sentence.

However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning that he will spend only one year behind bars.

Senior Resident Magistrate Augustine Mmbando found Ekelege guilty of abusing his position and occasioning TBS a loss of $42,543 (over Sh68 million) by waiving 50 per cent of administrative fees that were supposed to be paid by Jaffar Mohamed Ali and Quality Motors. He did this on March 28, 2008 without consulting the TBS board of directors.

The court also ordered the former TBS boss to repay the money after completing his sentence.

Mr Mmbando said the court was satisfied with evidence adduced by the prosecution, adding that it had been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Ekelege committed the offences.

He said the accused deserved severe punishment.

“Considering the nature of the offences, the accused deserves punishment that will serve as a deterrent for others who use their positions for their own benefit instead of serving the public,” Mr Mbando said.

He said the accused, in his capacity as TBS director general appointed by the President, was aware of all procedures and regulations and knew that he was committing an offence when he approved the waiver. The magistrate further said the accused was aware that he was only authorised to approve waivers of not more than Sh2 million and yet he waived $42,543.

“The court is of the view that the accused deliberately violated the laid-down rules and procedures for personal gain...he knew that it was wrong but he still went ahead and caused a loss amounting to $42,543.”