By Our Reporter
LIRA
A renowned Lira City businessman has been arraigned before the Lira Chief Magistrate’s Court today, 2nd February, 2024 on charges of fraudulently procuring a Certificate of Land Title.
Etwop Geoffrey was arrested by a joint force of State House Anti-Corruption Unit and Uganda Police on 1st February, 2024 from Kampala where he had gone to report and apply for possible bond extension.
Etwop is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party Treasurer for Lira City and a city mogul and director of two top companies, Rhino Oil and a construction company Tic Lokere.
It is alleged that the Etwop between 2017 and 2020, presented a letter dated 23rd December 2019 to the District land Board and Lira MZO among other land application documents purporting that the Physical Planning Committee Lira Municipal Council had approved his application to be granted a freehold title for Plot 16-18 Soroti Road, Campswahili, Central Division under minute number LMC PPC 083/12/2019, which was not true.
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the land in question is a public open space according to the approved Physical Plan of Lira Municipal Council (now City) 2016-2026.
Etwop is being jointly accused with some Lira City officials for connivance and fraudulent purchase of three plots of land belonging to Lira City land located along Lira-Soroti highway commonly known by the locals as tipper.
Etwop was remanded until Monday, 5th February, 2024 when he will re-appear before court for mention of his case and bail application hearing.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has camped in Lira City since early 2023 following widespread allegations of land fraud registered in the City.
