Obore, Parliament Officials Sent Back to Luzira as Court Blocks Bail Bid. The case will now move towards committal to the High Court
The freedom bid by Parliament’s top officials accused of a Shs27 billion corruption scandal has collapsed after the Anti-Corruption Court sent them back to Luzira Prison.
Parliament Director of Communications Chris Obore and six other officials appeared in court today hoping to secure bail, but prosecutors successfully opposed their release.
The state told court that investigations into the alleged corruption were still ongoing and argued that the magistrate’s court had no jurisdiction to handle some parts of the case, especially the money laundering allegations.
The accused officials will now remain on remand until July 27, 2026.
They were first taken to Luzira last week after being charged over allegations of causing financial loss to government, embezzlement and money laundering.
Prosecutors accuse the officials of using their positions within Parliament to access and misuse more than Shs27.2 billion between May 2023 and June 2026.
Obore is accused of allegedly taking Shs5.253 billion, while his co-accused are linked to other multi-billion shilling transactions.
The state alleges that money meant for parliamentary donations and corporate social responsibility activities was received, but the projects it was intended for were never carried out.
The prosecution also slapped the accused with a money laundering charge involving about Shs10.89 billion, alleging that the officials handled funds believed to be proceeds of crime.
But in court, the magistrate declined to take plea on the money laundering count, saying the matter could not be handled at that level.
The case will now move towards committal to the High Court, where the officials are expected to face trial.
Those caught up in the scandal include Human Resource Director Daniel Adilo, Personal Assistant to Parliament Stella Tuta, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema, Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Okwi, Vincent Otebata and Principal Research Officer Rajaab Kaalya.
For now, the accused remain behind bars as the state continues investigations into one of Parliament’s biggest corruption cases – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT1X9bTTH6A&t=8s
