Hassan Joho welcomes fresh probe on degree
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho Thursday said he was ready for the fresh probe on his credentials, a day after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered fresh investigations into the matter.
Mr Joho, who is currently in China on an official tour, said in a statement that he found it strange that the DPP, Mr Keriako Tobiko, is revisiting the matter after his office closed the file in 2013.
“I acknowledge the reopening of investigations of the Kampala International University degree case by the DPP. This is however a matter that was closed by his own office after having satisfied himself that the allegations against my degree have no factual or legal basis.
“I again find absolutely no legal basis of reopening the matter in view of the fact that there have been no new findings or facts known to us that supports such a decision,” said Mr Joho.
But Joho said he was ready to face his accusers, adding that he and his lawyers would cooperate with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“I am confident that I shall once again be vindicated as I have been before in both Kenyan and Ugandan courts as long as the investigations are conducted objectively and in accordance to the law.
“I would like to urge my supporters and the people of Mombasa to be calm and not to worry. This will not disrupt my mission and focus for quality service delivery to the residents of Mombasa County,” said Mr Joho.
On Wednesday, Mr Tobiko directed the DCI to launch a fresh probe, citing new claims questioning the legitimacy of Joho’s degree.
FRESH EVIDENCE
In a letter to the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mr Ndegwa Muhoro, dated November 5, 2014, Mr Tobiko said although his office had terminated the case and recommended the closure of the file in September 2013, fresh evidence has necessitated the move to reopen the file.
“On November 4, 2014, Mr Otuke, director Youth Leadership for Democratic Governance and Guidance visited my office and tendered a letter with an accompanying dossier containing fresh and additional allegations and documents relating to the matter.
“Having perused the said letter and the dossier, I am satisfied and do hereby direct that investigations into the matter be reopened and that fresh, speedy and thorough inquiry be conducted into the matter and on completion the file be submitted to this office for appropriate action,” Mr Tobiko directed in the letter seen by the Nation.
Mr Tobiko also ordered that the petitioner record his statements with the DCI and produce whatever additional evidence to support his allegations.
The Uganda High Court last month upheld his degree and quashed a decision of the Uganda National Council of Higher Education on his degree case.
The judgment by the court seemed to have put to rest the issues surrounding Joho’s academic credentials that have been haunting him since he was elected governor last year.
Justice Stephen Musota, sitting in Kampala, declared the decision of the Uganda National Council of Higher Education of April 30, 2014 that purported not to recognize the degree of Mr Joho as a nullity.
Governor Joho’s lawyer, Dennis Mosota, said they were confident that fresh investigations would not yield anything new.
