Kole district leaders vow to crack down on teacher embroiled in Bank Fraud scandal

By Editorial (editor@vol.co.ug)
Kole
Kole district leaders have warned of taking serious action against a primary school teacher arrested on suspicion of being involved in a bank fraud.
On Friday, police from Lira City Central Police Station initiated an investigation into Ogwal Francis, a primary school teacher from Kole, who is accused of participating in fraudulent activities at the Equity Bank branch in Lira.
Security officials from Citadel Towers and Equity Bank apprehended Ogwal, 39, on allegations that he colluded with some bank staff to illegally obtain loans for civil servants without their knowledge.
Ogwal said that he was contacted by a credit manager from Post Bank Uganda, who instructed him to open a bank account at Equity Bank in someone else’s name. He was later asked to withdraw money from this account.
Ogwal stated that the same person later requested he opens another account at Equity Bank, but his attempt was unsuccessful.
On Friday, Ogwal returned to the bank after the credit officer convinced him that he would be assisted in opening a new account by someone, only to be arrested during the process.
Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Region police spokesperson, confirmed that Ogwal remains in police custody.
He said the suspect is being questioned in connection with a withdrawal of 26.3 million shillings on October 18, 2023, from the account of Obong Ronald at Equity Bank.
Okema added that several people have recorded statements implicating Ogwal, and one individual, Arinaitwe, is suspected of being involved in the crime.
Denis Obol, the Kole district secretary for education and health, called for a thorough investigation into the matter and stated that the district will take serious action against Ogwal once the investigation is complete.