A Nairobi court has acquitted Former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and members of his former executive of corruption charges involving Sh8 million.
Ojaamong and his co-accused faced charges of conspiracy to commit an economic crime, abuse of office, failure to comply with public finance laws, engaging in a project without prior planning, and fraudulent acquisition of public property. The charges, date back to 2018.
Milimani Law Court's Chief Magistrate Eunice Kagure Nyutu, on Friday, May 16, ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove any wrongdoing, noting that the procurement process for a solid waste management feasibility study was properly followed.
“There was no evidence that any money was lost or that the accused persons unlawfully benefited,” she said.
In her ruling, Ms Nyutu stated that none of the 20 prosecution witnesses testified to any loss of public funds.
Magistrate Nyutu also ordered that all held security items belonging to the accused, including their passports, be returned.
The ruling came despite earlier arguments by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who had urged the court to convict Ojaamong and his co-accused, insisting that the evidence had demonstrated guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution had charged Ojaamong alongside former county officials and business associates, including Water, Environment, and Natural Resources CEC Benard Yaite and Finance and Economic Planning CEC Lenard Ombira.
Also charged were the Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning, Allen Omachari, Head of Treasury Accounting, Samuel Ombui, finance manager at Madam R Enterprises Limited, Edna Odoyo, Renish Omullo, Sebastian Hallensben, and Madam R Enterprises Limited.
