Police has charged Human Right’s lawyer and activist, Nicholas Opio, with an offense of Money laundering having received huge sums of money illegally.
Nicholas Opio has been in Police detention since Tuesday following his arrest on alleged cases of money laundering.
According to the charge sheet this website saw, the charges were based on a financial transaction Opio made on 8th October 2020 at ABSA Bank Garden City Branch in Kampala District, when he acquired $340,000/ (Three Hundred and Forty Thousand United States Dollars) through ABSA Bank Account no 6004078045 in the names of Chapter Four Uganda.
The charge sheet highlights that at the time of receipt, Nicholas Opio knew that the funds were proceeds of crime. The statement of offense states that Opiyo’s transactions contravened section 3(c) and 136(1)(a) of the Anti Money laundering Act as amended.
Nicholas Opiyo appeared before Nakawa Magistrates Court on Thursday where charges were read to him and remanded to Kitalya Prison till 28th December 2020 when he is expected to be returned to court.
Efforts by his lawyers to submit bail application could not be heard because the court has no jurisdiction. His case file has been forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Court through the High Court Registrar.
The new development follows several appeals from the public and international community for a formal procedure to have the detained lawyer arraigned before courts of law or release him unconditionally.
Last evening, 12 nations including UK, US, European Union, Denmark demanded for the release of the activist citing the bad reputation his arrest causes to Uganda following his arrest and detention.