City Council Revokes Tech Bureau Chief’s Immunity
ADDIS ABABA – The Council of Addis Ababa city administration has revoked the immunity of its member and the director of the city’s innovation and technology bureau chief, Dr. Muluken Habtu.
The revocation of his privilege of being protected from legal suit was proposed by the Ministry of Justice and presented to members of the Council during their last meeting of the year on Friday, according to the communication office of the City.
The request to revoke his impunity was linked to the condominium house lottery draw, said House Speaker Buzena Alqadir, reading the motion.
Dr. Muluken has been accused of having a major role in attempt to manipulate the outcome of the condo lottery draw conducted on July 8.
Police arrested Dr. Muluken and his deputy Abraham Sermolo as well as nine other officials and IT Experts linked to the same case on Wednesday.
The arrests were made five days after the controversial lottery draw to 25,491 condo units to eligible residents took place at the city hall.
Only 79,794 individuals who saved a minimum down payment for Condo units built under 20/80 and 40/60 housing development programs were eligible to enter the draw.
However, the administration’s audit into the data used in the drawing system and those provided by the Commercial bank of Ethiopia,later found several discrepancies.
Another investigation involving federal security and intelligence agencies confirmed the inclusion of additional 93,000 ineligible individuals in the draw illegally, and found several technical shortcomings in the lottery management system software.
Following the announcement of the investigation outcome, the city administration nullified the results of the lottery draw.
Featured Image Caption: Dr. Muluken was assigned as head innovation and technology development bureau of the city in September 2021. Photo AA City Communication]
