Mogadishu – The Attorney General’s Office of Somalia has taken a strong stance against corruption by filing charges against seven government officials, including former employees of the Immigration and Naturalization Directorate (IND) Agency, the National Audit Office, and the Ministry of Finance. The charges were filed to the Banadir Regional Court and the officials are facing allegations of corruption.
Attorney General Suleyman Mohamed Mohamud revealed in a statement that the seven defendants, who are currently outside the country, are accused of various forms of corruption. The individuals include Osman Hassan Cosoble, the Deputy Director General of the IND Agency, Mohamed Ahmed, former Director General of the Ministry of Finance Revenue Department, Abdikafi Hassan Mohamed, former Director of Administration & Finance at the IND Agency, and Mohamed Hussein Nageye, who held the position of officer in charge of visa extensions at the IND Agency. Other accused officials include Abdihakim Abdullahi Abdi, a former adviser to the Director General of the IND Agency, Abdalla Mohamed Ahmed, former Director of IT at the Office of the Auditor General, and Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed, former Department of Aliens & Visa Extension Officer at the IND Agency.
This move follows recent charges filed against 18 officials accused of corruption, theft, public funds diversion, document falsification, and duty dereliction. While nine of the accused individuals are already in detention, the remaining nine are believed to be outside the country. The Somali prosecutor’s office has become more proactive in tackling corruption cases after a presidential decree earlier this year, which has led to the arrest of several high-ranking officials on corruption charges.
The decision to broadcast trials featuring junior officials from the Immigration Department facing corruption and public theft charges is an indication of the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Efforts to curb corruption have gained momentum in the country, with various sectors being scrutinized for unethical practices. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the police force have also not been immune to these investigations, with key figures from these departments facing corruption charges.
Somalia’s fight against corruption is crucial for the country’s development and the restoration of public trust in government institutions. Efforts to hold officials accountable and recover embezzled funds are steps in the right direction to ensure a fair and just society.
