Crisis Rocks Justice System as EACC Chair Blasts DPP for Undermining Corruption Fight After Case Withdrawal
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson, David Oginde, criticized Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga on Thursday, accusing him of sabotaging the fight against corruption and preventing his agency from fulfilling its constitutional duties.
Oginde, in a brief statement, charged that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has repeatedly dropped high-profile corruption cases without adequate legal reasoning.
This criticism followed the DPP’s decision to withdraw the Ksh8.5 billion corruption case against former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala. Oginde expressed frustration, stating that such actions undermine their efforts.
Oginde’s remarks come after Balala was acquitted of charges related to Ksh8.5 billion in corruption, where he was alleged to have committed procurement fraud.
According to Oginde, the ODPP’s withdrawal of the case was unjustified and not in the best interest of the country.
Despite initially contesting the case withdrawal, a Malindi court acquitted the accused, ruling that any future prosecution based on the same facts would constitute an abuse of the court’s process.
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The EACC opposed the DPP’s withdrawal, arguing that it was detrimental to the public interest and hindered the fight against corruption.
“The Anti-Corruption Magistrate refused to accept an Affidavit from the EACC Investigator opposing the withdrawal,” EACC detectives reported.
Balala was arrested by EACC on December 22, 2023, and charged with procurement fraud and theft of public funds.
His arrest and subsequent charges followed the DPP’s review of the case, which agreed with EACC that there was enough evidence to prosecute the former Cabinet Secretary.
Balala was also accused of unlawfully acquiring public property, contrary to Section 45(1)(a) as read with 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
EACC noted that the unfortunate withdrawal of the case occurred on the very day the matter was scheduled for a mention to set a hearing date.
Crisis Rocks Justice System as EACC Chair Blasts DPP for Undermining Corruption Fight After Case Withdrawal
