The High Court has frozen four bank accounts belonging to suspended Nairobi City County official Patrick Analoh Akivaga and his wife, Damaris Sindavi Kayugira, for six months after investigators recovered Sh65 million in cash during a raid at their residence.
Justice Rose Ougo of the High Court Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division issued preservation orders restraining the couple from withdrawing, transferring, disposing of, or otherwise dealing with funds held in the accounts pending the completion of investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The orders followed an application by the anti-graft agency, which is probing the source of the millions recovered from the couple's home and whether the funds constitute proceeds of corruption or unexplained wealth.
In her ruling, Justice Ougo directed that the funds be preserved to allow investigators to complete their inquiries.
"A preservation order is hereby issued prohibiting the respondents, their agents, servants or any other person acting on their behalf from withdrawing, transferring, disposing of or in any other way dealing with the funds held in the subject accounts for a period of six months," the judge ordered.
The EACC argued that the orders were necessary to prevent the possible dissipation of funds suspected to have been acquired through corrupt conduct or economic crimes.
According to court filings, investigators recovered Sh65 million in cash during a search operation at the couple's residence, prompting further scrutiny of their financial affairs and bank transactions.
The commission told the court that preserving the funds was essential to safeguard public interest and ensure any assets found to be tainted remain available for recovery proceedings.
"The preservation of the funds is necessary to facilitate investigations and prevent the dissipation of assets that may ultimately be found to be proceeds of corruption and economic crimes," the EACC stated in its application.
Justice Ougo agreed that the commission had established sufficient grounds for the temporary freezing of the accounts while investigations continue.
The preservation orders will remain in force for six months unless varied or lifted by the court. During this period, the EACC is expected to conclude investigations and determine whether to institute recovery proceedings against the assets.
The case adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption investigations in which courts have been asked to preserve suspected proceeds of crime pending the outcome of inquiries by anti-graft agencies.
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