Ex-MP aspirant Ojera further remanded over alleged sh13.4m scam

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The Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court has further remanded former Kilak North parliamentary aspirant Christopher Ojera to Gulu Main Prison until April 2, 2026, over allegations of obtaining money by false pretences.

Ojera was initially taken to Gulu Main Prison on March 5, 2026, after court did not grant him bail.

He is being defended in court by his lawyer, Julius Ojok.

When he appeared in court on Thursday (March 12), he was hoping to be granted bail, but was left disappointed after the court registrar informed those present that the magistrate was unavailable.

Ojera was instructed to return to court on April 2, 2026, and was escorted back to Gulu Main Prison, where he remains on remand.

In the previous court hearing, the state prosecution, represented by Patricia Edyedo, objected to the bail application, arguing that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and that releasing Ojera could jeopardise the process.

Ojok, in response, argued that the charges against his client were politically motivated and asked the court to grant bail.

Ojera was arrested on March 1, 2026, at the Kamdini police checkpoint in Oyam district after reportedly being on the run since July 2025.

He is charged with obtaining money by false pretences.

According to court documents, the prosecution alleges that in June 2025, Ojera obtained sh13.4 million from a businesswoman, Monica Giriza, the proprietor of Karibu Eldoret Restaurant located in Kamdini town council in Oyam district.

Ojera allegedly promised Giriza a contract to provide catering services for 650 participants attending a meeting convened by Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) chief coordinator Gen. Salim Saleh at the Presidential Skilling Hub in Gulu district.

However, prosecutors say that after receiving the money, he failed to provide any work.

When the charges were read to him in court, Ojera pleaded not guilty and denied involvement in the alleged scam.