Written By |
Okwir Joel, a Lira businessman
Search
By Our Reporter
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), arraigned Okwir Joel, a businessman in Lira, before the Lira Chief Magistrate Court on charges of Attempted Felony, Uttering False Documents, and Making False Documents.
Okwir, who previously served as the Chairperson of the Area Land Committee for Railway Division, is alleged to have fraudulently procured a leasehold certificate of title for a forest reserve at Railways Quarters A village, Railway Division, Lira Municipality.
Investigations revealed that in September 2021, Okwir Joel, leveraging his position, submitted land application forms to the Lira Ministry Zonal Office (MZO) for a piece of land in Railways Quarters A village, Railway Quarters Parish, Railway Division, Lira Municipality. He falsely claimed to be the customary owner of the land, despite knowing that the land was designated as a forest reserve under the urban development plan of the Lira Municipal Council.
As part of his application, Okwir allegedly submitted fraudulent documents, including a minute extract from a purported physical planning committee. The document falsely indicated that his application had been approved under minute LMC PPC 083/12/2020 from a meeting dated December 20, 2019, when in fact no such approval had been granted.
Authorities continue their investigations as Okwir remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.
Torch Media Africa
