Anti-Corruption Court has granted bail to seven former parliamentary officials accused of embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering involving billions of shillings.
Justice Michael Elubu granted the accused cash bail ranging from Shs20 million to Shs35 million, with each required to provide sureties worth Shs300 million.
The court also ordered the accused to surrender their passports to the Deputy Registrar and deposit certificates of title or proof of ownership for their respective properties as additional security for bail.
The ruling followed a series of bail applications in which the defence lawyers argued that their clients had fixed places of abode, substantial sureties and no likelihood of absconding.
The court granted former Parliamentary Sacco Chief Executive Officer Mureebe Muhanuka a cash bail of Shs20 million. He was ordered to deposit the certificate of title for his residence in Goma Cell and his passport with court.
His sureties were required to execute a non-cash bond of Shs300 million.
Chris Obore, the former Parliament Communications Director, was granted Shs30 million cash bail. He was ordered to deposit the certificate of title for his residence in Kiwanga, together with his passport, while his sureties were bonded at Shs300 million.
Kaaya Rajab was granted Shs20 million cash bail and ordered to present a certificate of purchase for his home in Kyebando and deposit his passport with court. His sureties were also required to provide a Shs300 million bond.
Emmanuel Okwi was similarly granted Shs20 million cash bail and directed to present a certificate of title for property in Kyaggwe and deposit his passport with court. His sureties were bonded at Shs300 million.
Daniel Adilo was granted Shs35 million cash bail and ordered to deposit the title for his land in Kyaggwe. His sureties were required to execute a Shs300 million bond.
Leonard Okema, a former Executive Secretary to the Speaker of Parliament, was granted Shs35 million cash bail. He was directed to provide the title for his home in Katale-Bugema, Kyengera, and deposit his passport with court. His sureties were bonded at Shs300 million.
The seventh accused, Vincent Butebata, was granted Shs30 million cash bail and ordered to present a certificate of purchase for land in Busukuma. He was also directed to deposit his passport with court, while his sureties were bonded at Shs300 million.
Justice Elubu further ordered that all certificates of title presented by the sureties during the bail hearing would be staked as security for the accused’s release.
The judge warned that the properties would be forfeited to the State if any of the accused absconded.
The accused were also directed to report to the Deputy Registrar of the Anti-Corruption Court every first Monday of the month as part of their bail conditions.
The court had earlier heard that some of the accused were facing allegations of causing financial loss and embezzlement involving billions of shillings.
Adilo, for instance, is accused of embezzling Shs14 billion and is jointly charged with six others over allegations involving Shs27 billion. He is also charged with others over alleged money laundering involving Shs10 billion.
Obore is similarly facing charges relating to causing financial loss involving Shs27 billion and money laundering involving Shs10 billion, while Mureebe is facing money laundering allegations.
During the earlier bail hearing, the prosecution had opposed the applications, citing incomplete investigations, the possibility of interference with witnesses and the seriousness of the charges.
Justice Elubu, however, questioned the basis of some of the prosecution’s arguments, particularly claims that the accused could interfere with witnesses in Parliament.
The judge also questioned why the accused should remain on remand merely because the State intended to expedite investigations and have them committed to the High Court.
