Corrupt Lira cops jailed for 3 years or sh500,000 fine

Jun 05, 2014

The Anti- Corruption Court jailed two cops from Lira district for corruption related offences.

By Andante Okanya 

The Anti- Corruption Court jailed two cops from Lira district for corruption related offences.
 
Justice  Margaret Tibulya sentenced Assistant Inspector of Police Moses Odongo and detective Constable Julius Opira. 
To avoid jail, they have an option of paying a sh500,000 fine. 
 
Evidence adduced by prosecution indicated that last year between October 10 and 17 at Lira Central Police Station; they solicited a sh2.1m bribe to drop a case of forgery.
 
The judge bemoaned the gravity of the offences, and condemned the convicted for betraying public trust as keepers of law and order. 
 
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The sentence is to be served concurrently. 
 
For count one of corruptly soliciting for a gratification contrary to section 2(a) and 26(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, they were sentenced to three years in jail or a fine of sh200,000.
 
The same sentence and fine was given for count two of corruptly accepting a gratification of sh400,000. 
For count three of abuse of office contrary to section 11 of the Anti-Corruption Act, they were each sentenced to two years in jail of a fine of sh100,000. 
 
Their lawyer Ben Okiror has reqyested for a lighter penalty, noting that they were first time offenders, who have dependants. 
 
But the state attorney Barbara Kawuma demandeda severe punishment.
Tibulya instructed that the sh400,000, used  as an exhibit at the trial, be returned to Odoch. 
 
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