Prime
Moses Ali children wanted by Interpol
What you need to know:
- But Gen Ali told Daily Monitor that he went to South Sudan to rescue his kids who were being threatened by the “corrupt” police officers who had been compromised by Mr Sabiri.
- Gen Ali dismissed the allegations, saying his children can be taken to court should Mr Sabiri choose to go to court.
Kampala. Interpol has issued an arrest warrant for the son and daughter of First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali over fraud charges in South Sudan.
The duo is wanted over a reported deal gone bad with a Ugandan businessman based in South Sudan, who reportedly paid them more than $94,000 (about Shs353 million) to supply his company protective gear to be used in oil wells but the items were never delivered.
Mr Alule Asafi Sabiri claims he paid the money to Hafeez Musa Ali, Ramlat Musa Ali, both Gen Ali’s children, and Ivan Kuloba Sitati, a Kenyan national, between January and February to supply boots, overalls and safety aprons for a project that was to be executed in February but the trio, that jointly runs MIST Ltd, never supplied the equipment.
Reporting to police
Mr Sabiri says after the trio failing to deliver the goods, he reported a case of fraud to South Sudan police, resulting in the arrest of Hafeez and Ramlat, who had been working in South Sudan.
But after their release on police bond, Mr Sabiri, who is related to the accused, said Gen Ali used his influence to frustrate efforts to recover the money.
He said Gen Ali travelled to South Sudan and repatriated his children to Kampala, thereby jumping police bond.
According to a letter by the South Sudan acting Interpol boss, Lt William Majok Diing, dated August 16, 2018, the trio are wanted over alleged fraud.
“Mr Alule Asafi Sabiri is a Ugandan national complainant in criminal case number 2253 against Hafeez Musa Ali, Ramlat Musa Ali and Ivan Kuloba Sitati for the offences of criminal acts committed by several people in furtherance of common intention and cheating,” the letter reads, in part.
But Hafeez and Ramlat have dismissed Mr Sabiri’s allegations that they connived with Sitati to defraud him. They say they do not do business with Sitati.
“He [Sabiri] came to me looking for someone who could help him procure the things he wanted. And I connected him to Ivan. When Ivan disappeared, he wanted me to take full responsibility and pay back his money. It’s painful,” Hafeez said.
On her part, Ramlat says she is being accused because she is a friend of Mr Sitati’s friend.
“But we are ready to defend ourselves,” she said, adding that South Sudan Interpol has also written to the Kenyan police, asking them to arrest Mr Sitati.
But Gen Ali told Daily Monitor that he went to South Sudan to rescue his kids who were being threatened by the “corrupt” police officers who had been compromised by Mr Sabiri.
Gen Ali dismissed the allegations, saying his children can be taken to court should Mr Sabiri choose to go to court.
Involving the president
Different view. Mr Sabiri has also written to President Museveni, asking him to prevail over Gen Ali.
“I’m writing to you not to allow Honourbale Ali to use his official status to abuse the process and thereby frustrating our attempts to peacefully and legally recover our stolen funds and hold the culprits accountable for the mess,” Mr Sabiri wrote.