The Bank account of Garissa Governor Nathif Jama Adam was frozen by a High Court on Friday after the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) raised a red flag over suspiciously large deposits.
Initial Investigations into Jama's account in First Community Bank at Nairobi South C branch showed that funds amounting to Sh 5.2 Billion were fraudulently transferred from the County Government of Garissa.
Issuing the order, Justice Lydia Achode froze the governor’s accounts for a period of six months to allow for the EACC to conduct its investigations.
“The respondent, by himself or through his agents or servants, be and is hereby prohibited from transferring, disposing of, wasting, or in any other way dealing with First Community Bank Ltd South C branch (account number withheld) for a period of six months,” Justice Achode ruled.
EACC investigators found out that Jama who is the former CEO of The First Community Bank had a total of 32 questionable deposits amounting to over Sh 2billion between January 2015 and May 2016.
An additional Sh2.8 Billion carried forward from 2014 accounted for the difference bringing the total to Sh 5.2 Billion.
According to the investigators, there were six abnormally large deposits from the County Government of Garissa totaling to 2.3 Billion.
Mr. Jama who is seeking re-election on a Wiper Party ticket denied any links to the account accusing his rivals of tarnishing his name.
“Even if they cook lies and propaganda, then they should do it professionally,” a local daily quoted him as saying.
EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo assured that the commission had carried out their investigations in a legal manner and that they were investigating other governors who had misappropriated public funds.
“Jama’s case is just the tip of the iceberg. We are closing in on more of his peers and soon we will be bringing them to justice,” he stated.
