By KT Reporter
Police in Gulu City East Policing Division have arrested the LCII Chairperson of Paduny Parish, Awach Sub-county, on allegations of obtaining money by false pretence.
The suspect, David Opiro, is accused of defrauding four people between September 23 and 24 in a scheme linked to a fake motorcycle auction.
According to police reports, Opiro allegedly telephoned the victims, claiming that Gulu City East Policing Division was conducting motorcycle auctions and urged them to mobilize money so he could help them secure motorcycles. Aswa West Police spokesperson David Ongom Mudong said in a statement on Wednesday that no such auction was ever organized by the police. He noted that Opiro collected a total of 2.25 million shillings from the victims under false pretence.
Police have since identified the victims as Peter Oola, a pastor with the Church of Uganda in Awach sub-county who gave 450,000 shillings, and Asan Olanya, a boda boda rider who also contributed 450,000 shillings. Others are Tony Opiyo a mobile money operator who contributed 750,000 shillings and Justine Komakech a peasant farmer who gave the suspect 600,000 shillings.
Police said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Gulu East Police Station after officers found him suspiciously photographing motorcycles. According to Mudong, police officers recovered 1.7 million shillings from the suspect which has since been exhibited as evidence.
Mudong described the case as “regrettable,” saying that instead of protecting his community from fraudsters, a local leader turned out to be the one defrauding them. He added that Opiro will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.
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