Former Interior minister Fred Matiang’i did not flee the country, his lawyer Danstan Omari has said.
Speaking on Wednesday, Omari said Matiang’i flew to the UK on February 19 to attend to an urgent, private family matter.
“My client travelled on Sunday, February 19, 2023, via KLM (Passenger) Flight KL 566 on a regular private visit to the UK. Those familiar with his travel schedules over time will confirm that he travels regularly to that part of the world via KLM and – as was in this case – very openly, through open public means,” the lawyer said.
Omari further rubbished claims that the former powerful Minister fled the country to avoid the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI).
“There is nothing sinister about his travel. He is there to attend to an urgent private family matter and shall return to resume his ordinary routine as a private citizen,” Omari said.
The lawyer mentioned that Matiang’i is away for two weeks and had notified the necessary security and diplomatic officials of his trip.
“Owing to his immediate role in the security sector and his status, I have instructions that my client informally notified senior security sector and diplomatic officials about his two-week trip to the UK. It is therefore unfair to cast aspersions on his movement,” Omari said.
He also said Fred Matiang’i is not aware that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC) has opened a probe into his wealth.
“He is not aware of any investigations on him but reckons that constitutional offices are at liberty to discharge their mandate and that he, too, has the right to due process as a citizen of this country.”
