IGG denies frustrating NSSF probe
Jul 20, 2010
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Raphael Baku, has described as false accusations that his office is frustrating investigations into the mismanagement of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
By Catherine Bekunda
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Raphael Baku, has described as false accusations that his office is frustrating investigations into the mismanagement of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The IGG had been criticised by Parliament, the Auditor General (AG) and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for tabling the AG’s report as evidence in court against former NSSF boss David Chandi Jamwa without their consent.
MPs argue that the IGG’s decision has made difficult for them to proceed with their investigations.
“I am not frustrating the investigations; instead I look at Parliament as partners in fighting corruption,†Baku told journalists at Parliament yesterday.
He also said his disagreement with the committee on statutory authorities and state enterprises had been resolved. His office and Parliament were conflicting over the use of content in the AG’s report as evidence in court against Jamwa.
The MPs had accused the IGG of sabotaging their work by summoning the same witnesses under the NSSF investigations before the committee concluded their investigations.
The MPs cited the acting NSSF boss, Grace Isabirye, who had been summoned to appear before the IGG starting from July 19, yet the same official is appearing before the committee.
The committee is currently reviewing the AG’s report on NSSF in which Jamwa was accused of abuse of office and causing financial loss of sh2.7b to the fund.
Jamwa was arrested last month on the orders of the IGG but is out of jail on bail.
Prosecutor Asubo, assisted by Sarah Birungi of the IGG, told the Anti-Corruption Court that Jamwa arbitrarily sold off several NSSF bonds to Crane Bank before their maturity dates, which led to the loss of sh2.7b.
However, when contacted, Okumu said the committee’s concern was that the IGG waited for Parliament to begin its work in reviewing the NSSF report to take Jamwa to court.
“We are questioning why he is pre-empting the work of Parliament. The forensic report on NSSF was issued in December, why did the IGG wait for almost six months to issue Jamwa with summons?†Okumu asked.
He appealed to Baku to pay a courtesy call to the Speaker, the DPP and the Auditor General to harmonise methods of work.
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Raphael Baku, has described as false accusations that his office is frustrating investigations into the mismanagement of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The IGG had been criticised by Parliament, the Auditor General (AG) and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for tabling the AG’s report as evidence in court against former NSSF boss David Chandi Jamwa without their consent.
MPs argue that the IGG’s decision has made difficult for them to proceed with their investigations.
“I am not frustrating the investigations; instead I look at Parliament as partners in fighting corruption,†Baku told journalists at Parliament yesterday.
He also said his disagreement with the committee on statutory authorities and state enterprises had been resolved. His office and Parliament were conflicting over the use of content in the AG’s report as evidence in court against Jamwa.
The MPs had accused the IGG of sabotaging their work by summoning the same witnesses under the NSSF investigations before the committee concluded their investigations.
The MPs cited the acting NSSF boss, Grace Isabirye, who had been summoned to appear before the IGG starting from July 19, yet the same official is appearing before the committee.
The committee is currently reviewing the AG’s report on NSSF in which Jamwa was accused of abuse of office and causing financial loss of sh2.7b to the fund.
Jamwa was arrested last month on the orders of the IGG but is out of jail on bail.
Prosecutor Asubo, assisted by Sarah Birungi of the IGG, told the Anti-Corruption Court that Jamwa arbitrarily sold off several NSSF bonds to Crane Bank before their maturity dates, which led to the loss of sh2.7b.
However, when contacted, Okumu said the committee’s concern was that the IGG waited for Parliament to begin its work in reviewing the NSSF report to take Jamwa to court.
“We are questioning why he is pre-empting the work of Parliament. The forensic report on NSSF was issued in December, why did the IGG wait for almost six months to issue Jamwa with summons?†Okumu asked.
He appealed to Baku to pay a courtesy call to the Speaker, the DPP and the Auditor General to harmonise methods of work.