Lira businessmen remanded over fraudulent acquisition of forest reserve land

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Summary:

• Two prominent Lira businessmen, Okello Lawrence and Okwiri Joel, have been remanded to Luzira Prisons on charges of illegally acquiring National Forestry Authority land for commercial use, involving fraudulent title procurement and deforestation, following their arraignment before the Chief Magistrates Court in Lira.

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Arua City | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Two prominent Lira City businessmen, Okello Lawrence and Okwiri Joel, find themselves remanded to Luzira Prisons on charges of orchestrating an illicit scheme to acquire land owned by the National Forestry Authority for commercial purposes. This alleged transgression against the law unfolded during their appearance before the Chief Magistrates Court in Lira, where they faced charges ranging from Fraudulent Procurement of Certificate of Title, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, to the Alteration of boundary marks and occupying a forest reserve for commercial gain.

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit apprehended the duo on Wednesday, 7th December, 2023, following an investigation into their purported involvement in this land acquisition scandal. According to the prosecution, Okwiri, who served as the Chairperson of the Railways Division Area land committee, stands accused of forging signatures of fellow committee members to process a title for the Lira Central Forest Reserve.

Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, Okello and Okwiri sought bail, an appeal that went unanswered due to the Chief Magistrate’s absence from the office at the time of their request. The alleged fraudulent act did not stop there; Okello purportedly paid money to have the title transferred into his name. Taking advantage of this newfound ownership, he audaciously proceeded to deforest part of the reserve and laid down Murram to pave the way for the construction of a petrol station.

The Ministry of Water and Environment officials, upon realizing Okello’s encroachment into the forest reserve, attempted to intervene and halt the construction of the petrol station. However, their efforts were thwarted as Okello, supported by influential politicians and financial resources, managed to overpower their objections.

Senior Principal Magistrate Grade One, Jane Tibagonzeka, remanded both Okello Lawrence and Okwiri Joel to Lira Main Prison until 19th December 2023.

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