The police detectives attached to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit have arrested a Lira city-based businessman over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of public land.

The suspect, identified as Geoffrey Etwop, the proprietor of Tic-Lokere Private Company and Rhino Oil Petrol Stations, was summoned to appear at the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and was later arrested on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

Mariam Natasha, the Spokesperson for the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, said that Etwop is accused of fraudulently acquiring part of Tipper Stage, a public land along Soroti Road in Lira city.

According to Natasha, Etwop will be arraigned in court in Lira city on Friday, February 2, 2024, to answer the allegation.

Etwop is the second prominent businessman to be arrested over the fraudulent acquisition of public land in Lira city.

In December 2023, Lawrence Okello, a prominent businessman, was arrested for fraudulently procuring a certificate of title on forest reserve land.

Okello, 48, a proprietor of Oil Energy, a company currently operating a fuel station on the contested land, was subsequently charged and remanded to Lira Central Government Prison.

He was later released on court bail but has continued to report to court on charges of fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, conspiracy to commit a felony, altering boundary marks, and occupying a forest reserve for commercial purposes.