You know you’re in hot soup when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji mentions your name.
Lugari MP, Hon. Ayub Savula will now have sleepless nights after the DPP this morning directed his prosecution alongside Former PS Sammy Itemere and 23 others over Ksh. 122 million government advertising agency scam.
DPP's Press Statement on Investigation at the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) #Anti_CorruptionODPP pic.twitter.com/qZGpPJZq2i
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) October 27, 2018
In a press statement released by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the DPP said that he was satisfied that there is sufficient evidence of fraudulent payment of Ksh. 122, 335, 500 to the individuals and Companies implicated in the scam.
According to the investigations by the DCI into the scam, the money was paid to Hon. Ayub Savula, Melody Gatwiri Ringera and Hellen Jepkorir Kemboi, M/S. the Sunday Publishers Ltd, Melsav Company Ltd, Johnnewton Communications, the Express Media Group, No Burns Protection Agencies Ltd, Cross Continents Ventures Ltd and Shieldlock Ltd respectively.
DPP Noordin Haji added that there exists satisfactory evidence showing that Sammy Ishiundu Itemere, the then, Principal Secretary, State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications in the Ministry of
Information Communication and Technology approved the fraudulent payments the implicated persons and companies mentioned above.
The suspects of this particular corruption case will face the following charges: obtaining money by false pretenses, making a document without authority and aiding the Commission of a felony among others.
MP Savula who was arrested yesterday at an entertainment night in Nairobi will spend another night at the Muthaiga Police Station as investigations into the scandal continue and awaits his arraignment in Court on Monday.
The Government Advertisement Agency which handles all advertising from government ministries and departments in both electronic and print media was formed three years ago through a directive of Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.
In the directives, all State corporations, universities and other institutions under the national government were expected to place their advertisements through the Information Ministry.