Court Sentences Former ERCA Employee for Embezzling

(Addis Fortune) Five former employees of Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) along with 16 importers were sentenced to eight years maximum jail time and a 5,000 Br fine by the Federal High Court First Criminal Bench for embezzling 13.4 million Br from ERCA two weeks ago.

The defendants were charged with abusing their power, giving and receiving bribes and destroying evidence, three years ago by the Federal Anti Corruption Commission (FACC). They had been in prison since then after being denied bail.

Mesfin Ahmed, Teume Gebru and Yohanes Gesigal, the presiding judges, found them guilty on September 9, 2011.

All of the defendants were found guilty as charged for collaborating in the import of goods from Djibouti without paying the required duty tax and removing information of unpaid duty tax from servers.

Although the defendants managed to erase registered records of the tax duties, the charges were brought against them after the imported items record was found from Djibouti port, the prosecutors had said while presenting evidence. The five ERCA officials were found guilty of being complicit in this act in breach of their responsibility and taking bribes.

Such an offence carries a sentence up to 15 years and a fine not exciding 50,000 Br while more rigorous sentences carry up to 20 years imprisonment and 100,000 Br fines according to the criminal code.

Tsegaye Mulat, former ERCA system supervisor was sentenced to seven years and two months along with a 3,000 Br fine; Gedu Anbese and Berhanu Nurega, former transitors at ERCA, were sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment and 5,000 Br fines each; and Feleseta Meskele and Bertiquian Abera, former cashiers, were sentenced to six years imprisonment and 2,000 Br fines.

Asrat Gezaw and Yeshiharge Habteyes, both former cashers were set free as the court believed they had successfully defended their case.

Misemah Kemal and Nebiyu Bederu, importers, were each sentenced to eight years and six years and two month imprisonment and 5,000 Br in fines.

Another two importers, Nuredin Seid and Genet Tedela were sentenced to four years and 5,000 Br fines, and it has sentenced Amir Musa, an importer, to eight years of jail time and a 5,000 Br fine.

The court dropped charges against Solomon Wolde, an importer who died in prison, and has set Teshome Fantu, also an importer, free.

Zelalem Negatu , Yared Awash, and Mohamed Husen, all agents, were sentenced to six years and a 3000 Br fine, eight years and six months and a 5,000 Br fine, and six years and eight months prison time with a 5,000 Br fine respectively. Asrat Kashaye, yet another agent, went free while Ibrahim Abduleselam and Serkalem Asefa, also agents were sentenced to eight years and a 5,000 Br fine and six years with a 2,000 Br fine repectively.

By EDEN SAHLE
FORTUNE STAFF WRITER