Politics

Kenya: Transparency International withdraws award from chief prosecutor, Haji. Here’s why

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2023

Transparency International has withdrawn an award it presented to Kenya’s outgoing chief prosecutor, Noordin Haji for allegedly dropping high-profile corruption cases.

The anti-graft watchdog said it had received public petitions against the decision to drop the cases, including those against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Aisha Jumwa, who is a cabinet minister.

The body’s Kenya Executive Director, Sheila Masinde said in a letter to Haji released on Friday, said: “These petitions have raised serious allegations regarding the withdrawal of high-profile corruption cases, including those for which you were previously recognised, resulting in the loss of public funds.”

The notice for the withdrawal was acknowledged by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. “In adherence to the principles of fair hearing and due process, we eagerly anticipate an invitation from the board of TI, providing us with the opportunity to present our perspective,” it said in response to a request for comment.

“During this interim period, we have discontinued the utilisation of the award and will promptly return it upon the board’s determination.”

Haji was recently nominated by President William Ruto to become head of the country’s intelligence agency, but the nomination is yet to be approved by the parliament.

The 2022 “Corruption Perceptions Index” for the public sector in Kenya showed 68 points, ranking it 124th which is compared to other countries, slightly below average. TI also reports that the level of corruption decreased a bit. In the long term, it has also declined moderately in recent years.

Related Topics:Featured Kenya Noordin Haji Transparency International

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.