The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been granted a search warrant by the Kisumu Chief Magistrate Court to investigate former Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Vice Chancellor, Stephen Gaya Agong’, over allegations of procurement fraud.
The commission suspects that Agong’ removed original documents relating to fraudulent university projects from his office after his retirement, taking them to his personal residences.
The court’s decision allows the EACC to search three properties linked to Agong’, including his residential homes in Grace Ogot Estate in Kisumu, Kahawa Sukari near the Kahawa Police Station in Nairobi, and his ancestral home in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County.
The search will also cover his personal vehicles, which are believed to contain further evidence related to the alleged corruption.
According to Patrick Mbijiwe, the EACC’s investigating officer, the commission is probing procurement irregularities in the construction of key infrastructure projects at JOOUST.
These projects include a Science and Technology Laboratory Complex, a 100-capacity men’s hostel, and an ultra-modern library.
The EACC suspects that there were fraudulent activities, including misappropriation of funds and manipulation of tendering processes, during Agong’s time as vice chancellor.
In his application for the search warrant, Mbijiwe informed the court that the EACC intends to search Agong’s computers, laptops, mobile phones, iPads, and any other devices found at his homes.
These items may hold crucial records, emails, contracts, and other documents related to the university’s projects.
The EACC has requested permission to access these devices, and to obtain passwords if necessary, to gather evidence that may link Agong’ to the procurement irregularities under investigation.
After considering the EACC’s request, the Kisumu Chief Magistrate authorized the commission to enter and search Agong’s properties.
The magistrate also allowed the seizure of any documents, equipment, or records found during the search that could be relevant to the investigation.
These items are to be taken to court for further examination and legal processing.
” I authorize Mbijiwe or any other officer authorized by the EACC by this warrant to enter the places, offices and or premises listed in application for things, items and equipment belonging to Gaya and if found to seize and take the same to a court with jurisdiction to be dealt with according to the law,” the Magistrate ordered.
The court also issued an order requiring anyone in possession of the seized electronic gadgets, including Agong’s family or staff, to cooperate with the EACC by providing access to the information stored on the devices.
This includes disclosing any passwords or security codes necessary to unlock the data.
This search warrant is a part of the EACC’s continued efforts to combat corruption and procurement-related irregularities in public institutions.
The commission has emphasized the importance of ensuring that public funds allocated for university development are used transparently and efficiently.
The investigation into Agong’ is aimed at uncovering how funds for these critical university projects may have been mismanaged.
