By Watera Atai
NATIONAL
The Anti-Corruption court presided over by lady justice Margaret Tibulya has sentenced to jail former Soroti University secretary, Ruth Achimo Etibot for five years over abuse of office.
The court also charged Achimo with two counts of diversion of public resources, one count of fraudulent false accounting and one count of false accounting by a public officer.
It is alleged that the suspect while serving as the university Secretary and at the same time Accountant fraudulently diverted over Shs1 billion university funds.
She was earlier on charged together with Edward Obeele, the university bursar who pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a fine.
The prosecution led by James Khaukha proceeded with the case to full trial against Achimo.
According to the prosecution, it is evident that Achimo signed a legal services agreement (on behalf of the university) with Okurut & Company Advocates for the provision of legal services to the university without following formal procurement processes.
In the FY 2017/18, Achimo allegedly used her powers and paid Shs 1,025,265,000 meant for capital development to the said law firm as legal fees in a space of three months however, the services were not budgeted
Further reports indicate that Achimo diverted more monies from capital development to cater for staff allowances and other non-current expenditures
This according to the prosecution affected payments for capital development projects failing the university to effect payments for contractors within the agreed timelines.
The court also heard that Achimo falsely reported in the progress reports that all the capital development funds had been spent on capital development projects. The actual activities upon which the money was spent were concealed.
“The accused signed the letter forwarding the false report to the ministry of Finance. She knew that she had diverted the funds without authority. And she knew that she had covered the diversion up by not reflecting it in the report she was sending. I find that the accused knowingly furnished statement or return of money received by her or entrusted to her care,” said Tibulya.
Achimo agreed with the court assessors that the charges against her were sufficiently proved and went ahead to enter convictions against her.
The trial judge stated in her sentence that the convict’s actions were irregular and with blatant impunity which no amount of explanation could sanitize.
The judge also issued an order disqualifying Achimo from holding a public office for the next 10 years.
