Man sued over buying govt school

Dec 26, 2006

THE Attorney General has sued a businessman over the fraudulent purchase of a Government-aided primary school in Iganga town.

By Daniel Saire

THE Attorney General has sued a businessman over the fraudulent purchase of a Government-aided primary school in Iganga town.

Hajji Saidi Edhiruma was on Thursday served with a notice requiring him to file a defence at the High Court within 14 days.

“Should you fail to file a defence on or before the date mentioned, the plaintiff may proceed with the suit and judgment maybe given in your absence,” said a notice signed by the High Court Registrar, Masalu Museene.

Edhiruma claims he bought the school in 2004 following an advert that appeared in the media.

The Director of Civil Litigation, Joseph Matsiko, last week secured a 90-day court injunction stopping Edhiruma from taking over the school. Documents indicate that Edhiruma bought the school from the Departed Asians Custodian Board on November 6 at sh45m.

He made a down-payment of sh15m and finance state minister Fred Omach issued him with a Certificate of Purchase.

However, in a sworn affidavit, Omach claims he was misled by the board to give Edhiruma a certificate for a school under the Universal Primary Education programme.

The Attorney General claims Omach lacked the constitutional powers to sign agreements on behalf of the Government and wants court to nullify the sale of the school which has 2,700 pupils.

The Attorney General also claims the Ministry of Education was never consulted about the sale of the school.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});