Why Noordin Haji declined to reveal his wealth during the vetting
DPP Noordin Haji declined to reveal his wealth during the vetting for the position of NIS Director-General
DPP Noordin Haji declined to reveal his wealth during the vetting for the position of NIS Director-General.
Noordin Haji, the nominee for director-general of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), declined to disclose his personal worth on May 30 while being vetted by lawmakers.
While testifying before the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, Haji said the situation would eventually turn into a national security concern after he takes office.
Haji, who is the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), chose instead to give the committee a statement outlining his wealth and supporting documentation.
“Honourable chair, I am going to request considering the sensitivity of the office I will hold, that I give this to your committee because it might be a national security issue at some point,” he stated.
The Public Officer Ethics Act of 2003, which mandates that every public officer make financial reports of their incomes, assets, and liabilities, serves as the cornerstone for the wealth declaration.
Haji was also challenged to provide an explanation for why his office dropped numerous cases that involved high-ranking government figures.
The DPP observed that the Constitution, which set forth how his office should operate, required that the ODPP withdraw a case if there was insufficient evidence or abuse of the procedure for gathering evidence.
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“The constitution is very clear on the rules and powers of ODPP. A lot of these cases that have been cited and withdrawn were made independently.
“We had issues with how the evidence was passed to the ODPP. Initially, the evidence tabled showed we had sufficient evidence in most of those cases to prosecute. In some of those cases, the investigating officers presented evidence that was not complete, some were forged,” he stated.
Haji pointed out that the decisions ultimately lied with the court which provided an oversight role in the withdrawal of the cases.
He added that in the course of the three years, he had received severe threats through 20 different cases – however, he stood firm in making independent decisions.
Haji was nominated by President William Ruto for the role on Tuesday, May 16, and is set to succeed Major-General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru, if approved.
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