(19-06-23) MOGADISHU — On Monday, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Finance were arraigned in Banadir’s regional court on corruption charges, according to the Office of the Attorney General. These officials, notably from the Land Tax department, are accused of embezzling public assets and producing counterfeit government documents, including falsified money receipts.
The implicated parties were named as the manager and the senior assistant treasurer of the Land Tax Office in Mogadishu’s Warta-Nabadda district, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing crackdown on public sector corruption.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office stated in a press release: “Today, in executing our duty, we brought before the Banadir regional court officials from the Ministry of Finance.” Following the announcement, the court ordered the defendants to be placed in temporary custody while investigations continue and the trial commences.
The decision for remand was issued after the court evaluated and approved the preliminary evidence presented by the Attorney General’s Office.
This high-profile case is but one facet of broader efforts to combat theft of public assets and forgery. The actions by the security agencies are part of an intensive campaign to root out corruption within the federal government.