The Anti-corruption court has charged Mr. Matovu John, an advocate with Ms Matovu &Matovu Advocates with theft by an agent and conspiracy to defraud govt of over UGX 4Billion.
It is said that the accused while entrusted as one of the advocates for Busoga Growers Cooperative Union to pursue war loss compensation claims from government conspired and stole the funds.
The court heard that he committed the offence between 2018 and 2023.
He denied the charges, saying he was being persecuted and turned into a scapegoat.
“I did my job well as a contracted lawyer, I was asked to demand for compensation from government on behalf of Busoga Growers Cooperative Union, which i did. I got the money, deducted my share and forwarded the balance to my clients,” he said
He joins Basoga Charles, the Chairperson Busoga Growers Cooperative and others who are on trial over the same. He has been remanded until 16th August 2024 for his bail application.
