Former deputy Finance Secretary, Jacob Yafai, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison by the National Court for his role on the misuse of more than K41.8 million in public funds paid to the controversial law firm, Paul Paraka Lawyers.

The monies were paid by the Department of Finance as part of an even bigger fraud that was first exposed in a Commission of Inquiry which reported in 2011.

On 4 October 2023, Paul Paraka was himself sentenced to twenty-years imprisonment for misappropriation.

ACT NOW has long campaigned for all the senior figures implicated in the Commission of Inquiry to face criminal prosecution and for the government to take steps to recover the monies.

In 2015, ACT NOW hosted a ‘Birthday Bash’ to highlight the lack of action on the Commission recommendations.

ACT NOW has also widely circulated a brochure on the Commission findings and released numerous media statements and undertaken direct lobbying of key individuals and institutions urging prosecutions and action to recover the stolen monies.

ACT NOW will continue to campaign for prosecution of all those involved in the scams, who number at least 50, and recovery of the money.