Three Justices of appeal have unanimously dismissed an appeal filed by Joanita Igamu, a former Manager at Equity Bank – Jinja Branch, challenging court decision which ordered her to compensate the bank over 100 million shillings which was lost during her tenure.
The lower Court sentenced Igomu to two and a half years’ imprisonment term after convicting her of causing the bank financial loss.
The evidence was that between May 21 and 25, 2011, there was an audit carried out at Jinja branch and it was discovered that there was a shortage of 101,213,700 (One hundred and one million two hundred thirteen thousand seven hundred shillings), that she took the money in 50,000 denominations and concealed the shortage in 500 shillings coins.
She challenged the decision in High Court and Justice Paul Mugamba dismissed the appeal as he upheld both sentence and conviction.
She later petitioned Court of Appeal where Justices Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Percy Night Tuhaise and Stephen Musota have dismissed the matter.
In their decision, they ruled that the sentence was not excessive since Section 20 of the Anti-Corruption Act says any person convicted of causing Financial loss, their sentence must not be more than 14 years.
“We find that the sentence imposed of 30 Months imprisonment was not excessive and was within the confinement of the law.”
They also noted that the sentence was not an injustice to the appellate because the appellant Judge had convicted Igamu for causing financial loss.
They further pointed out section 126 of the Trial and Indictment Act which allows the high court to order any convicted to pay compensation to any person who has suffered a material loss in addition to any other lawful punishment.