Somalia Court Jails Health Officials For 9 Years Over COVID-19 Funds Theft

MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – A Somali judge has sentenced a senior health ministry official to nine years in jail for stealing funds and improper of genuine seal, in what was a minor victory against endemic corruption in the horn African nation.

The prosecutors accused Abdullahi Hashi Ali, director general of Health Ministry of violating articles 241, 363, 366, 375, 376, 371 of the country’s penal code, according to the court.

Ali along with eight others appeared Benadir court today for graft charges.

Ali who was arrested last April in connection with alleged corruption was guilty of violating article 241 and 363 of the penal code.

Abdullahi sentenced to nine years in jail and $2366 fine with ban from serving public office.

“Abdullahi Hashi Ali was accused of violating articles 241, 363, 366, 375, 376, 371 of the country’s penal code but was found guilty of violating article 241 which stealing funds and improper of genuine seal, therefore the Court him to nine years in prison with fine of $2366,” the judge said.

The court also Mohamed Bulle Mohamud, director of the ministry’s finance department found guilty of stealing public property, falsificatication of private deeds, was sentenced to 18 years in jail and fine of $2366. He was also banned from serving public office.

The fourth defendant Bashir Abdi Nur, an accountant in a HIV/AIDS project got three years, a fine of $1,183 and a ban of five years from public office. Five other suspects were acquitted.