Why Justice Said Chitembwe cried after JSC mentioned a corruption scandal occurred in 2010

 

High Court Judge Said Chitembwe.

On Monday, High Court Judge Said Chitembwe became emotional while revealing his encounter when he was charged with fraud concerning funds theft at the NSSF when he was the company secretary.


That led to justice Chitembwe temporarily suspended from the Judiciary in 2010 before being charged with conspiracy to defraud NSSF Sh1.7 billion.

The judge was later reinstated in 2011 after the anti-corruption court acquitted him for lack of proof.


While being examined for the position of Chief Justice, the judge broke into tears while describing what transpired.


“My personal experience is that we were two initially, me and the CEO. Two lawyers who were handling the transaction were advised to apply to stop the hearing of the criminal case and I had to go to the Court of Appeal because I was not included in the application to be heard. I wanted the public to be told what I stole and what I took so that this issue is settled.”


“The Court of Appeal accepted and we went back and we were heard.”


Justice Chitembwe said that 35 witnesses were called and he was found to have no case to answer.


“This experience makes you know if an accused person comes before you and raises his hand, hear him..,” he told the JSC panel.