State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Ms Agnes Nandutu has been arraigned at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala following her arrest over diversion of iron sheets meant to be relief items for the people of the restive Karamoja sub region.
She was today charged with dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009 (As Amended) before she was committed to High Court for trial.
The Anti- Corruption Court grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe said she cannot hear the Bududa Woman MP’s bail application following her committal to high court.
This was after the State attorney, David Bisamuyu told court that inquiries into the case were complete.
This means Ms Nanduttu can only apply for bail in the High Court if she so wishes.
As a result, she was remanded to Luzira Prison until May 3rd, 2023 when she’s expected to appear before court for mention of her case
Meanwhile, addressing journalists shortly after the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala committed her to High Court for trial, the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Ms Agnes Nandutu said she was firm but protested the manner in which her case was handled.
The Bududa Woman MP questioned why she was committed to the High Court for trial when the lower court (Anti-Corruption) has the mandate to handle this case.
Nandutu was arrested yesterday when she handed herself to police for questioning over the Karamoja iron sheets scandal and today she was arraigned before Anti-Corruption Court and charged with dealing with suspect property.
Nandutu, however, denied the charges before the state prosecutor, David Bisamuyu told court that police inquiries into her case were complete.
The former TV journalist becomes the third minister to be charged in court over the scandal after Mary Gorreti Kitutu, the minister of Karamoja and Amos Lugolobi, the state minister for finance.
At least 20 ministers and about 35 legislators across the country have been implicated in the scandal.
A number of senior ministers, including the VP, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the speaker of Parliament Anita Among and the finance minister, Matia Kasaija are among the most senior ministers who received the iron sheets.
