Magistrate Blames Cop

Jul 24, 2002

COURT has blamed a Police officer for frustrating a sh152m fraud case against former Ministry of Education accountant, David Walakira, and two other officials who were acquitted yesterday.

By Jude EtyangCOURT has blamed a Police officer for frustrating a sh152m fraud case against former Ministry of Education accountant, David Walakira, and two other officials who were acquitted yesterday.Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Frank Othembi said detective Ensio Odoch of Kampala Central Police Station, who was investigating the case, frustrated the efforts of the prosecution to build a case against the accused when he refused to testify.Odoch is also facing trial before the same court for allegedly soliciting a bribe from Walakira. Walakira, Soroti district education officer Eyou Anyiku and businessman Tom Obicho, are accused of forging documents and defrauding the education ministry of sh152m. The money was meant for payment of orphans, teaching practice and inspection of schools in Soroti district in 1995.Othembi in his ruling said, “The prosecution was conducted with a high degree of professionalism. The only missing link to tie it all up neatly was Mr. Odoch, the investigating officer, who frustrated what could be a strong case against the accused.”Ends

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