The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against a Turkana County Government nurse, a supplier company and its director over the alleged acquisition and laundering of proceeds of crime amounting to KSh2.76 million.
The suspects are Gilbert Suleiman Eskuku, a registered nurse employed by the County Government of Turkana; Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited; and Abass Abdi Yusuf, a director of the company.
According to the allegations, the three are linked to transactions involving KSh2,763,811.05 paid by the county government to the supplier company.
Supplier Company Linked to Alleged KSh2.76 Million Transactions
It is alleged that between July 1, 2020, and July 5, 2021, the accused, described as directors and signatories to bank accounts belonging to Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited, acquired KSh2,763,811.05 from the County Government of Turkana.
The prosecution alleges that they knew or had reason to believe that the money constituted proceeds of crime.
The approved charges relate to the alleged acquisition of proceeds of crime, with Eskuku facing additional allegations of conflict of interest and money laundering.
Nurse Faces Conflict-of-Interest Charge
Eskuku is accused of knowingly acquiring a direct private interest in contracts awarded to Ekwang Suppliers Company Limited, a company allegedly associated with him.
The contracts reportedly resulted in payments amounting to KSh2,763,811.05.
The conflict-of-interest allegation centres on whether the nurse improperly benefited from contracts involving the county government while employed by the same administration.
Money Laundering Allegation
Eskuku is also accused of withdrawing KSh2,763,811.05 between July 1, 2020, and July 31, 2023.
The prosecution alleges that he knew or had reason to believe the transactions were intended to conceal the nature of the funds, contrary to laws governing money laundering.
The approved charges will allow the matter to proceed through the relevant court process, where the allegations will be examined.
The accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
