Lira Businessmen Sent to Prison for Fraudulently Acquiring Forest Reserve Land
A magistrate court in Lira City has remanded two businessmen to Lira Government prison for unlawfully obtaining a certificate of title for land within a forest reserve. Joel Okwir, a 48-year-old businessman, and Lawrence Okello, also 48, the owner of Oil Energy, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Grade One, Jane Tibagonzeka. Their arrest is part of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit’s investigation into the illegal sale of government and public land within Lira City.
The accused were charged with five counts, including the fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, altering boundary marks of a forest reserve, clearing and occupying the land for commercial purposes, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The prosecution alleged that between April 2018 and July 2020, Okwir and others fraudulently processed and obtained the registration for a freehold certificate of title for a forest reserve land. The document was reportedly procured in the name of Mark Aliro.
Furthermore, the court heard that Okello cleared and occupied part of Lira plantations central forest reserve for commercial use and established a petrol station, Oil Energy, between September 2020 and October 2022.
Despite pleading not guilty to all charges and requesting court bail, the magistrate informed the accused that the case could only be heard before the chief magistrate court. Consequently, both individuals were remanded to Lira Government prison until December 19th, 2023, when the court will decide on their bail application.
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