Lawyer accused of defrauding late Justice Kanyeihamba of sh215m freed on bail

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The Anti-Corruption Court has granted bail to a city lawyer accused of laundering sh215 million allegedly stolen from the account of the late Justice George Kanyeihamba.

Andrew Obam, 38, an advocate of the High Court practising with Loi Advocates, is facing a charge of money laundering contrary to Sections 3(c), 119 and 139(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap 118, Laws of Uganda, 2023.

On August 11, 2025, Justice Michael Elubu granted Obam cash bail of sh10 million, with each of the four sureties bonded at sh50 million.

He also ordered Obam to deposit his passport with the court and to report to the registrar of the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court on the first Monday of every month.

Elubu stated that the State had not proved to the court the likelihood that Obam would abscond if granted bail.

“This court acknowledges the gravity and seriousness of the offence, and the allegations against the accused person. This is carefully weighed and balanced against the circumstances and grounds stated in this case. Bail can and should be declined in cases where the conditions demand it, and especially in circumstances where the temptation to abscond and compromise the investigation are established. It should never be used as a punishment,” Justice Elubu said.

Chief state attorney Nelly Asiku and senior state attorney Pamela Orogot, from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), had argued that Obam is a flight risk who is likely to abscond from trial if released on bail.

Charges

Prosecution alleges that between October 2022 and September 2024, at Bank of Africa, Kololo branch in Kampala, Obam intentionally received a total of $56,800 (about sh215 million) through account number 0393200206 in the name of Loi Advocates, where he is a partner.

It is further alleged that the funds were fraudulently credited to the law firm’s account from the bank account of the late Justice Kanyeihamba, using cheques stolen from him. At the time of receiving the funds, Obam is said to have known that the money was proceeds of crime. Kanyeihamba passed away last month.

What the law says 

Under section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, any person convicted or found guilty of the offence of money laundering is liable to 15 years’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sh2 billion.