Immigration Officer slapped with 2yrs imprisonment over theft of K 116,600

The Solwezi Magistrates Court has sentenced an Immigration Assistant Officer to 2-years imprisonment with hard labour for obtaining money by false pretences and theft by public servant involving K 116,600.

Principle Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili found Ben Mpundu Sokoni, 44, an Immigration Assistant Officer in charge of Zambezi District of house no. A26 Ndeke Compound, guilty on 13 Counts of Obtaining Money by false pretences and 2 counts of theft by public servant contrary to Section 3019 and 277 as read with Section 265 respectively of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Sokoni has been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour on each of the 13 counts, and 2 years imprisonment with hard labour on each of the other 2 counts. The sentences will run concurrently with effect from 28th May 2017.

Particulars of the 13 counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretense are that Sokoni, on dates unknown but between 1st November, 2012 and 31st December 2014 in Zambezi District of North Western Province, Zambia, being an Immigration Assistant Officer, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtain K 106, 100.00, purporting that he would facilitate the extension of Temporal Employment Permits for employees of Stefanutti Stocks Construction Limited Company, when in fact not.

Particulars of the two (2) counts of Theft by Public Servant are that on dates unknown, but between 1st January, 2012 and 31st December 2014, Sokoni being a public officer, namely, Immigration Assistant Officer in Zambezi District of North Western Province, did steal K10,500.00, which came into his possession by virtue of his employment.

The convict was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission in June 2017.

This is according to a statement issued by ACC Corporate Affairs Officer Jonathan Siame.