Nairobi Court Clears Sudanese Cabinet Minister of Money Laundering Charges

A Nairobi court has cleared South Sudan Cabinet Minister Martin Elia Lomuro of money laundering charges.

In June, Justice James Wakiaga issued orders freezing Lomuro’s bank account containing Sh13.42 million ($124,547) following a case filed by the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA). 

ARA in an application said Lomuro’s account at Co-operative Bank made multiple suspicious transactions pointing to money laundering. 

In July, Lomuro filed an application seeking to have the freezing orders overturned. He argued that the funds were from his salary, allowances, and emoluments as a Minister and MP in South Sudan as well as income from real estate investments.

On Wednesday, the court ruled that ARA was satisfied with the respondent’s explanation of the source of funds and lifted the orders.

The South Sudan Minister of Cabinet Affairs is now free to access the funds and operate the account following the withdrawal of the freezing orders. Lomuro, who has served in President Salva Kiir’s cabinet since 2005, thanked Kenya’s high court following the ruling.

“I very much thank the Kenya High Court for its absolute integrity and for upholding high standards of the rule law, justice, and equality for all regardless of nationality before the law in Kenya.”

“Equally, I appreciate the ARA for acknowledging the authenticity of the sources of my funds and advise that in the future ARA should conform to the country’s legal procedures and diplomatic protocols so as not to victimize people in support of a negative policy of external powers with negative political intentions in the region; South Sudan in this case,” he added.