December 22, 2024
sudanese

UNDER PROBE: Augustino Taban Idro Kuei,

Interpol is investigating how Augustino Taban Idro Kuei, a South Sudanese national wanted for his role in a $7 million fraud, managed to escape jail in both Dubai and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) before settling into a luxurious lifestyle in Kampala, Uganda. Kuei is accused of forging signatures to fraudulently withdraw over $7 million from the account of his employer, the Ropani Group of Companies. Sources within Uganda’s directorate of Interpol told The Observer that Kuei, who holds South Sudanese, Ugandan, and DR Congolese nationalities, is on an Interpol red notice. Despite this, he is reportedly shielded by “powerful, well-connected individuals” within Uganda.
An Interpol red notice serves as a global alert to law enforcement agencies, requesting the location and provisional arrest of a suspect pending extradition or legal action. In Uganda, the Interpol directorate facilitates international cooperation to combat transnational crime.

ARREST ATTEMPTS THWARTED

The source revealed that an arrest warrant for Kuei has been in place since 2021, but efforts to apprehend and extradite him to South Sudan have been blocked by influential figures in the Ugandan government. Documents seen by The Observer indicate that the South Sudanese government has repeatedly written to the Ugandan and DR Congolese governments requesting their cooperation in arresting Kuei, but no progress has been made.
Kuei’s alleged fraudulent activities date back to his tenure at Ropani Group of Companies, where he worked under Samuel Lotigo, a South Sudanese national. Between 2015 and 2020, Kuei allegedly colluded with bank officials to siphon over $7.7 million from the company account. After the fraud was uncovered, Kuei fled to Dubai, where he was briefly arrested, only to escape custody and later surface in DR Congo.
Despite his fugitive status, Kuei is reportedly living a high-profile lifestyle in Kampala. Interpol continues to probe how he managed to evade justice in multiple countries and avoid extradition. His case highlights challenges in addressing transnational crime, particularly when suspects receive protection from influential networks.

This high-profile investigation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling financial crimes and the role of domestic authorities in protecting fugitives.


FUGITIVE’S ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE SPARKS INTERNATIONAL TENSIONS

Records reveal that when Samuel Lotigo, a South Sudanese businessman, discovered the $7.7 million fraud allegedly orchestrated by his employee, Augustino Taban Idro Kuei, he alerted South Sudan police. However, Kuei managed to evade capture and fled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In 2021, after the South Sudan government issued an Interpol red notice for Kuei, he was arrested in Dubai and detained for three months while awaiting extradition. During this time, a high-ranking Ugandan official reportedly travelled to South Sudan to lobby for leniency on Kuei’s behalf but failed to convince South Sudanese authorities.


SOUTH SUDAN’S PLEA FOR JUSTICE

One letter from South Sudan’s inspector general of police to counterparts in Uganda and DR Congo reads:

“We are requesting your authorities to kindly arrest the above suspect wanted by the judicial authority of South Sudan. Kuei is wanted by the South Sudan National Police Service for criminal misappropriation amounting to $7,721,150. The ministry kindly requests your esteemed embassy to facilitate with the relevant authorities in DR Congo the extradition of the suspect to South Sudan.”

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