EACC freezes bank account of a State official linked to corruption
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has frozen the account of a finance officer at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry after preliminary investigations revealed that the millions in his account were corruptly obtained.
Samuel Njoroge Kariuki, a finance officer II in job group K had been receiving numerous deposits of large sums of money from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry amounting to Sh79.8 million through his Equity Bank account number 0710194331205.
On receiving the information about the allegations of embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office by Kariuki, the EACC on March 29 obtained warrants to investigate the Equity Bank account.
The anti-graft body had gone to court -Milimani Miscellaneous Application number E1077 of 2022 –and were granted the freezing orders when the account had a balance of Sh22,467,999.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the credits into his bank account are disproportionate to his known legitimate sources of income thereby raising reasonable suspicion that the funds were obtained through corrupt conduct,” the EACC said.
The orders to freeze the accounts was issued yesterday for six months as investigations continue.
In another case on April 14, the EACC was also given orders to freeze three properties and seven motor vehicles purchased by one Eric Mutai for Sh57 million and Sh30.6 million respectively.
The EACC was undertaking investigations relating to public officers at the State Department of Correctional Services suspected to have fraudulently acquired approximately Sh450 million on account of goods that were never supplied.
Pending finalization of investigations, Lady Justice Esther Maina of the High Court’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division granted orders sought by EACC freezing three properties and seven motor vehicles.
The suspect against whom the orders were issued received approximately Sh270 million through seven enterprises and business names in which he is the registered sole proprietor.
Investigations revealed that the properties were however purchased through and registered in the names of third parties.
The matter shall be mentioned on October 25 to confirm the status of investigations.
