The trial of officials accused of corruption at the Mogadishu airport has officially begun. The defendants, who are all employees of the Nationality and Immigration Agency, are accused of embezzling $20 million that should have been deposited in the government treasury.
The crimes are alleged to have taken place between 2018 and 2023. The defendants are:
- Abdullahi Mohamud Cosoble, director of the immigration department
- Omar Maallin Noor, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Department
- Sabir Hassan Abdinur, Head of Visa Extension Verification
- Adan Mohamed Abdi, Director of Visa Processing
The judge of Banadir District court read the charges against the defendants, which include embezzlement, money laundering, falsification of documents, and abuse of power.
The immigration agency has become the focus of the investigation of corruption cases by the federal government. It is believed that a large amount of money has been misappropriated by senior staff at the agency.
The prosecutor’s office has accused 15 officials of corruption, some of whom have been arrested, while others have fled the country.
The trial is expected to last several weeks. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched by the Somali people, who are eager to see justice served in the fight against corruption.
Horseed Media
