DPP Haji seeks apology over misleading report on his Italy trip

The Director Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji is demanding an apology from a local daily over a publication it made on Monday stating that during his trip to Italy he uncovered proxy firms owned by four Cabinet Secretaries trading with state.

In the article the DPP said the author alleged that he, together with members of Multi-Agency Team (MAT) comprising Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Attorney General -AG, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Assets Recovery Authority, toured Italy and unearthed companies that Cabinet Secretaries used abroad to benefit from multi-billion shillings tenders.

Haji, through a letter, indicated that none of the members from Multi-Agency Team named in the publication joined him in Italy during the trip.

“In this regard, it is utterly unprofessional for a mainstream media house to propagate such a narrative without seeking official comment from the ODPP and more so when the   media house   attributes the information to undisclosed sources.” He said.

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He assured the public that that he was not privy to the alleged information, and the article is therefore grossly untrue.

“The ODPP has a clear public communication policy that guides communication with the public and other stakeholders and any information from our end cannot be released clandestinely as the article seems to suggest. I have noted with great concern that there is an emerging trend to release misleading information to the public and attribute it to public officials. This must stop.” He added.

The DPP said while investigations on certain projects by CSs are underway, such misreporting is tantamount to interference with and negation of the rights of those who are innocent until they are proven guilty.

“For the record, the DPP may from time to time guide in investigations as provided for by the ODPP Act, such engagement is strictly undertaken according to the law and in strict confidence. Once the investigations are complete and the file is officially forwarded to my office, the same is reviewed independently and objectively. In this particular case, the investigations are ongoing and once the file is complete and forwarded for directions, the DPP shall communicate his decision.” He noted.

“While we highly appreciate the critical role of the media in the fight against corruption, crime and informing the public on the same, they, as required of all of us, must act responsibly and seek to provide factual information at all times.” He pointed out.

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