Former Migori governor Obado forfeits Sh235million worth of assets in Sh73million graft case settlement
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his co-accused in graft charges have surrendered property worth Sh235million in the case involving the alleged misappropriation of Sh73.4million.
This is after Obado and seventeen of his accomplices entered a plea bargain through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, as provided for under the Constitution, relevant statutes, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) prosecutorial policies.
As part of the agreement, the accused agreed to forfeit assets equivalent to three times the amount in question.
They surrendered eight parcels of land and two Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, with a combined estimated value of Sh235.6 million.
”The properties handed over to the State include: the Loresho Ridge House Sh40 million, Sunrise Centre Commercial Block, Suna East Sh88 million, Two five-storey residential blocks with 40 units, Suna East -Sh57.6 million, Two apartments in Greenspan, Nairobi, worth Sh18 million, a mansionette house in Greenspan, Nairobi, worth Sh14.5 million, Residential Property, Kamagambo Sh10 million and Two single-storey residential blocks with eight one-bedroom units, Suna East Sh7.7 million,” the DPP has revealed in a statement.
The plea bargain was formally presented before the court in accordance with Section 137A–O of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Criminal Procedure (Plea Bargaining) Rules, 2018.
Under Section 137C, plea agreements may be initiated either by the prosecution or the accused.
After receiving written requests, the DPP directed the prosecution team to engage the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and defence lawyers in consultations.
Three meetings were held, leading to a consensus to settle the matter through a plea bargain.
The accused were first charged in 2021 with 25 counts, including Conspiracy to Commit an Economic Crime, Conflict of Interest, Money Laundering, and Unlawful Acquisition of Public Property.
The charges stemmed from transactions linked to the alleged embezzlement of public funds from the County Government of Migori between 2013 and 2017.
Those charged alongside Obado in 2021 are Dan Achola Okoth, Scarlet Susan Okoth, Jerry Zachary Okoth, Everlyne Adhiambo Zachary, Jared Peter Odoyo, Christine Akinyi Ochola, Joram Otieno, Ochanda Patroba, Penina Auma, Carolyne Anyango, and several companies: Misfort Limited, Tarchdog Printers Limited, Kajulu Business Limited, Victorious Investments Limited, Deltrack ICT Services Limited, Swyfcon Engineering Limited, and Dolphus Softwares Limited.
