Human Rights advocate Nicholas Opiyo has been released onUGshs.15M bail by the High Court of Uganda. The court presided over by Lady Justice , Jane Okuo Kajuga, released Opiyo from Luzira prison where he was detained after being charged with money laundering contrary to sections 3 ( c ), 116 and 136 of the Anti -Money Laundering Act.
Justice Kajuga said in her ruling thus ;” however serious a charge is , it all but remains an allegation . Courts are expected not to deny bail as a punishment “.
Prosecutors told court that Opiyo and others received $340,000 through an Absa bank account belonging to Chapter Four Uganda, an organization he heads, knowing that at the time of receipt, the funds were proceeds of crime.
He was later remanded to Kitalya government prison until December,28. Opiyo is the lawyer representing two NGOs including the Uganda National NGO Forum and the Uganda Women’s Network whose accounts were recently frozen by the Financial Intelligence Authority over alleged involvement in moving money to finance terrorism activities.
He was arrested at Lamaro restaurant located in Kamwokya together with other lawyers who included Herbert Dakasi, Anthony Odur and Esomu Obure and Hamid Tenywa. The trio were released on police bond.
