Court has ordered the arrest of former Amuru Resident District Commissioner, James Nabinson Kidega over a 37,443,000 million shilling debt he owes Aruu County Member of parliament, Odonga Otto.
The order dated December 1, 2015 was issued by the Gulu high court.
Kidega is also the Aruu South County flag bearer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Odonga-Otto is contesting as FDC candidate for Aruu North after his constituency was divided into two- North and South.
The debt stems from a 2011 court victory Odonga registered against Kidega who had accused him (Otto) of rigging in the polls. Court awarded Otto and the Electoral Commission 60 million shillings with Otto getting 37,443,000 million.
After the Aruu loss to Odonga- Otto, Kidega was appointed Gulu RDC by president Museveni. He was later transferred to Amuru district from where he resigned to contest for the Aruu South parliamentary seat in Pader district.
When contacted by Acholi Times on Tuesday, Kidega said it would be unfair for Odonga Otto to have him arrested since he has already paid part of the money he owes Otto. But when asked how much he had paid, he was not specific.
“I just want to let you know that we have given the court bailiff a land title and a vehicle saying that if we fail to pay the money, they can have it and we have shown commitment by paying some of the money,’’ Kidega said.
But Otto says he has not got a ‘‘single cent’’ from Kidega saying what Kidega paid for was meant for the electoral commission and not him. Kidega had jointly sued Otto and the EC.
Otto said court bailiffs will camp at the offices of the electoral commission in Pader district to net and cage James Nabison Kidega until he pays the debts. Kidega plans to get nominated this week for the Aruu South parliamentary seat. If he is arrested, he could potentially miss out on getting nominated.
“Let him be argumentative and we get him; he will be arrested,”warned the vocal and controversial Odonga- Otto.
