I don’t fear anything; CS Oparanya responds to calls for his arrest after High Court ruling
I don't fear anything; CS Oparanya responds to calls for his arrest after High Court ruling
Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya now says he has nothing to fear, days after the High Court in Nairobi quashed a decision to withdraw a graft case against him.
Addressing Kakamega residents on Friday, September 19, Oparanya dismissed the graft allegations levelled against him, terming them a political witch hunt by his rivals.
According to the CS, his tenure as Kakamega Governor was marked by development, and his remarkable achievements changed the lives of many people he served during his time in office.
He went ahead to challenge the anti-graft Commission, the EACC and other investigative agencies to produce graft evidence against him, saying he was prepared to defend himself.
“I hope you know the person who carried the files and took them to the EACC. Even if you claim Oparanya was dishonest, you should come and witness the development he brought here all those years,” he said.
“If they have tangible evidence that I indeed engaged in graft, let them go ahead with their plans. I do not fear anything,” Oparanya added.
His sentiments came four days after the High Court dismissed the ODPP’s decision to withdraw a Ksh57 million graft case against him.
Justice Benjamin Musyoki, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, September 16, argued that the DPP’s move to withdraw the case violated Constitutional principles of transparency and accountability.
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According to the judge, DPP Renson Ingonga overreached the mandate of the EACC by blatantly withdrawing the case without the latter’s information.
“The decision was shrouded in mystery and therefore worked against the public interest, hence violated Article 157 of the Constitution,” the court ruled.
Following the court ruling, the National Integrity Alliance, a lobby group representing various social groups, called for Oparanya’s immediate apprehension.
The lobby group termed the judgment a landmark moment in the eradication of impunity and state capture, and stated that the ODPP file fresh charges in accordance with the EACC’s investigative findings and Justice Musyoki’s judgment.
“We demand that the DPP cease the unconstitutional usurpation of investigative functions and respect the EACC’s constitutional mandate under Article 79 and Chapter Six of the Constitution,” the lobby group demanded.
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