ACB arrests two contractors in K70m scam
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) last week arrested two more people in connection with plunder of public resources at Capital Hill.
The two businesspersons, Allan Harrison Magombo who is managing director of Down Stairs Building Contractors and Albert Phillip Mwenibabu proprietor of Mweni Civil Engineering, have since been granted bail and trial has been set for Monday and Wednesday next week.
ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala said in a statement the suspects were arrested on Wednesday last week after investigations into their dealings with the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development last year found that Magombo obtained K32 475 126 (about $82 000) and Mwenibabu K39 183 997 (about $98 000) from the ministry without rendering any service to government.
Said Ndala: “Mwenibabu has been charged with one count of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code and two counts of money laundering contrary to Section 35 (1) (c) of the Money Laundering, Proceeds of Serious Crimes and Terrorist Financing Act.”
Magombo, on the other hand, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit an offence contrary to Section 35 of the Corrupt Practices Act and two counts of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.
Magombo pleaded not guilty to the charges but he was asked to produce a cash bond of K2 million (about $50 000) and two non-cash sureties of K500 000 each (about $ 1 250) whereas Mwenibabu had to produce a K1 million (about $2 500) cash bond and two non-cash sureties of K500 000 each.
The ACB has since last year extended investigations to ministries and departments following revelations of looting and manipulation of the government’s financial management system which has seen over 70 people arrested.
Full ACB Statement click here
