Vurra MP released after spending 12 days in prison over debt

The Vurra County Member of Parliament in Arua District, Mr Yovan Adriko has been granted bail, today, October 24 , after 12 days imprisonment in Arua government prison for failing to pay a debt.

The MP was imprisoned after failing to pay Shs52 million to Jubilee Finance Limited in Arua city, borrowed at  an interest rate of 15 per cent. The money was to be paid back within one month in 2021.

According to documents tendered in court, the MP could not repay it in time as stipulated in the agreement.

While he had paid back Shs20 million in two installments, he failed to honour the terms of repayment.

During the court hearing on Tuesday afternoon presided over by the deputy registrar Arua High court, Lowe Karungi, the MP paid Shs 32 million in cash and pledged to pay the remaining balance of Shs 22,677,400 million in two weeks. The jail sentence was for six months.

Making his case for bail, the MP also tendered a piece of land in Oluko in Ayivu East constituency in Arua City.

Mr Adriko who was represented in court by Mr Jimmy Madira of Madira and company advocates told court that he was committed to the terms and conditions set by the two parties and that he will honour them.

Mr Stanley Aliomani, his personal assistant and Ms Frida Driwaru, his wife stood as sureties for Mr Adriko.

Prior to his release, a group of well-wishers solicited for monetary support on different platforms including Whatsapp. MP Adriko, who is serving as Vurra County MP for his first term, was formerly the LC3 Chairman of Logiri Sub-county in Arua District.

He joined Parliament in 2021 after beating the incumbent and former State Minister for Finance in charge of Investments, Dr Gabriel Aridru, who served for one term.

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