By Edward Anyoli

ROOPESH Dhilrajlal Solanki, the former manager of the defunct Lannex Forex Bureau, was on Friday jailed in Luzira prison for embezzling sh254m.

Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Margaret Tibulya sentenced Roopesh to three years in prison after he was found guilty of mismanaging the funds.
Lannex Forex Bureau was closed down in 2005 after over sh1b belonging to several customers went missing.

Court heard that Roopesh, who was in charge of customers funds, failed to remit money sent by several individuals from abroad through telegraphic transfer to their respective banks.

“I am satisfied that the accused received money, and he did not remit it as instructed. In the premises. I convict the accused,” Tibulya ruled.

The chief magistrate, however, acquitted Roopesh of charges of causing financial loss, saying the prosecution failed to provide substantial evidence.

State Attorney Bernadette Nalule asked court to give the suspect a stringent sentence saying: “The offence of embezzlement is serious and rampant, I seek a deterrent sentence”

But the convict’s lawyer, Robert Bautu, asked court for a lenient sentence,
“The accused has shown that he is a repentant person. He did not prefer an appeal and he is sorry for his crime,” Bautu pleaded.

“He has children in school. They are likely to suffer if he is given a harsh sentence.”