EACC opposes ODPP bid to drop UoN official’s Sh32 million graft case

EACC opposes ODPP bid to drop UoN official’s Sh32 million graft case

Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo is alleged to have forged academic certificates and irregularly received over Sh32 million in salaries and benefits while serving in various senior positions at the university.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has challenged an attempt by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to terminate a corruption case against a senior University of Nairobi official accused of forgery and unlawful enrichment.

The case involves Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo, who is alleged to have forged academic certificates and irregularly received over Sh32 million in salaries and benefits while serving in various senior positions at the university.

When the matter was mentioned before the Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday morning, state prosecutors indicated their intention to withdraw the case.

However, the EACC objected to the move, arguing that existing court orders bar further proceedings until pending High Court and Labour Court petitions are resolved.

According to the Commission, Ouma obtained conservatory orders on July 9 halting the trial, and those orders remain active. The EACC told the court that both it and the ODPP are parties in the pending petitions, which directly touch on the criminal case.

"The petitions have not been withdrawn, and as such, it would be improper to take any step in the criminal case before those matters are determined," the Commission's representative submitted.

The ODPP, however, told the court that discussions were underway to address outstanding issues and that the withdrawal would proceed once the matters before other courts were settled.

The presiding magistrate directed that a ruling on the withdrawal application be delivered on October 30.

Ouma is facing multiple counts of forgery and unlawful acquisition of public funds, allegedly obtained between 2015 and 2025 while he served as Deputy Director for Fundraising, Director of University Advancement, and Acting Chief Operations Officer at the University of Nairobi.

Investigations by the EACC revealed that Ouma allegedly held those positions without the requisite academic qualifications. The case stems from a probe into his irregular appointment as Acting Chief Operations Officer at the public institution.

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