EACC Officials Raid Chief Magistrate’s Home Over Corruption Allegations
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched an investigation into the conduct of a Chief Magistrate following multiple complaints that she demands and receives bribes from individuals facing criminal charges in her court.
Bribery Allegations Against Chief Magistrate
In a statement issued by EACC Chairperson Abdi Mohamud, the commission confirmed that it had received several reports accusing the magistrate of engaging in corrupt practices.
According to the complaints, the magistrate allegedly solicits and collects bribes from accused persons in exchange for favorable rulings.
“EACC wishes to confirm that it is conducting investigations against the Chief Magistrate (working station name withheld) following numerous complaints alleging that she demands and receives bribes from accused persons in criminal matters before her,” the statement read.
The commission further disclosed that the case was triggered by intelligence reports indicating that the magistrate had allegedly received money through a court clerk, who is suspected of acting as an intermediary in the bribery scheme.
“It is alleged that on various occasions, the Chief Magistrate received different amounts of money through a clerk in her court, suspected to have been collected from accused persons in exchange for judicial favors,” the EACC noted.
Raid on Magistrate’s Residence
Acting on this information, EACC detectives secured search warrants and carried out raids at the homes of both the magistrate and the court clerk.
During the operation, officers recovered a total of Ksh2.07 million in cash, which they suspect to be proceeds of corruption.
The money was reportedly found hidden inside a laptop bag at the magistrate’s residence. Additionally, several documents believed to be relevant to the investigation were seized.
“Today, Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Commission, upon obtaining search warrants, conducted searches at the residences of the Chief Magistrate and the Clerk to obtain relevant documents and information to support the investigations,” the EACC statement read.
“A total of Ksh2,070,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds of corruption, was recovered inside a laptop bag at the residence of the Chief Magistrate, along with various documents relevant to the investigations.”
Following the raid, both the magistrate and the clerk were taken to EACC headquarters for questioning and to record statements.
The commission stated that the findings of the investigation would be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
Judiciary Under Scrutiny
This development comes amid increased scrutiny of judicial officers over allegations of corruption. In January, EACC Chairperson David Oginde revealed that the commission had launched multiple investigations into judiciary officials following concerns raised by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
“We had a meeting with the Chief Justice, and during that discussion, she expressed concerns over reports indicating that some judicial officers were accepting bribes and thereby obstructing justice,” Oginde said.
According to the EACC, Chief Justice Koome personally requested the commission’s intervention to address the issue of judicial corruption and restore public trust in the courts.
The latest probe into the Chief Magistrate’s conduct is part of broader efforts by the EACC to weed out corruption in the judiciary and ensure that justice is served fairly and without undue influence.
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