Former secretary to stand trial for conspiracy, corruption

 By CHARLES MOI

THE Committal Court has found ample evidence to refer the fraud-related charges against former Works secretary Joel Luma to a higher court.

Luma faces 55 counts – 51 counts of dishonest application, one count of conspiracy to defraud, one of official corruption, one of abuse of office and one of false pretence. 

Committal Court Magistrate Cosmas Bidar ruled that the evidence was reasonable to warrant the case to be referred to the National Court. Luma’s bail has been extended.

The charges relate to more than K22 million allegedly paid to two companies between January 2009 and December 2012. 

Police allege that both companies were paid more than the agreed contract payments awarded by the Central Supply and Tenders Board. 

Bidar said he had considered the evidence thoroughly, including the submissions from both parties, and found that the evidence was sufficient to warrant its committal to the National Court. 

Bidar said the function of the committal court was to screen evidence to see if it was sufficient to commit the case to the National Court.