Teddy Cheeye out of prison
Aug 03, 2009
The former director of economic monitoring in the Internal Security Organisation, Teddy Seezi Cheeye walked out of jail yesterday after he deposited sh60m for his bail.
By Hillary Nsambu and Anne Mugisa
The former director of economic monitoring in the Internal Security Organisation, Teddy Seezi Cheeye walked out of jail yesterday after he deposited sh60m for his bail.
Cheeye, 51, was granted bail on July 24 pending the hearing of his case in the Court of Appeal but was retained in Luzira Prison after failing to raise the money.
His relatives finally paid the money yesterday, after which the court issued his release order.
His two sureties were each ordered to execute a non-cash sh50m bond.
In his bail commitment, Cheeye promised he would appear before the Court of Appeal on August 3 to answer charges of embezzlement, forgery and uttering false documents.
A beaming Cheeye, who was accompanied by his wife, Annet Kayiraba, assured journalists that he was alright and he had had no problems in prison.
In April, Cheeye was convicted for embezzlement of Global Fund money and forgery. He was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment for the different counts, to be served concurrently, which in effect meant 10 years in prison. He was also ordered to refund sh110m. The funds embezzled were meant for activities to fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Cheeye concedes that his company, ironically called Centre for Accountability, could not account for the Global Fund money, but argues that he is not personally responsible for the loss.
In his appeal, he claims that the trial judge relied on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice, who was a manager in the same company.
Justice J.B. Katutsi in his ruling stated that “the accused set up a company, which to his knowledge was a mere sham or simulacrum, only intended to feather his own nest with ill-gotten money.â€
The judge noted that Cheeye was the sole director and signatory of his NGO, while his wife was the secretary. He said evidence was brought before court showing that sh120m was wired to Cheeye’s company’s account from the Global Fund on March 15, 2005 and he immediately withdrew sh96.6m, using three cheques.
Witnesses testified that Cheeye’s company never carried out the activities to fight HIV/AIDS in Kabale, Rakai, Mbarara and Ntungamo, the judge further stated in his ruling.
The former director of economic monitoring in the Internal Security Organisation, Teddy Seezi Cheeye walked out of jail yesterday after he deposited sh60m for his bail.
Cheeye, 51, was granted bail on July 24 pending the hearing of his case in the Court of Appeal but was retained in Luzira Prison after failing to raise the money.
His relatives finally paid the money yesterday, after which the court issued his release order.
His two sureties were each ordered to execute a non-cash sh50m bond.
In his bail commitment, Cheeye promised he would appear before the Court of Appeal on August 3 to answer charges of embezzlement, forgery and uttering false documents.
A beaming Cheeye, who was accompanied by his wife, Annet Kayiraba, assured journalists that he was alright and he had had no problems in prison.
In April, Cheeye was convicted for embezzlement of Global Fund money and forgery. He was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment for the different counts, to be served concurrently, which in effect meant 10 years in prison. He was also ordered to refund sh110m. The funds embezzled were meant for activities to fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Cheeye concedes that his company, ironically called Centre for Accountability, could not account for the Global Fund money, but argues that he is not personally responsible for the loss.
In his appeal, he claims that the trial judge relied on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice, who was a manager in the same company.
Justice J.B. Katutsi in his ruling stated that “the accused set up a company, which to his knowledge was a mere sham or simulacrum, only intended to feather his own nest with ill-gotten money.â€
The judge noted that Cheeye was the sole director and signatory of his NGO, while his wife was the secretary. He said evidence was brought before court showing that sh120m was wired to Cheeye’s company’s account from the Global Fund on March 15, 2005 and he immediately withdrew sh96.6m, using three cheques.
Witnesses testified that Cheeye’s company never carried out the activities to fight HIV/AIDS in Kabale, Rakai, Mbarara and Ntungamo, the judge further stated in his ruling.