Judge Grants Police Two-Week Custody of Commissioner Mitiku, Son

Jul 17 , 2022


Mid last week, a judge at the Federal First Instance High Court granted federal investigators 14-day custody of Mitiku Kassa, head of the National Disaster Risk Management Commission. Mitiku and his son, Eyasu, were detained by federal police the day prior on suspicion of "corruption, misuse of public property, and abuse of office." Police say they suspect the Commissioner was an actor in embezzlement activities involving Elshadai Relief & Development Association, a local charity. Elshadai was established in 1990 by Yemane Woldemariam, according to the charity's website. Police suspect Mitiku was involved in the misappropriation of aid items such as wheat and edible oil under the purview of the Commission for personal gain. The federal police suspect a three-storey building in Hawassa town was acquired in Commissioner Mitiku’s wife’s name using close to 10 million Br in misappropriated funds and rented out to Elshadai.


Radar

Parliament Reviews Bill Allowing Foreign Property Ownership

A draft proclamation that would allow foreigners to own or occupy immovable property in Ethiopia has been submitted to parliament by the Council of Ministers. Designed to attract foreign investment, the draft law plans to ensure that Ethiopian citizens retain their right to land ownership and use. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the draft was among six agenda items discussed and approved during the Council's regular session held on May 2, 2025. The proclamation is e...


Radar

Speeding in the Spotlight as New Safety Drive Begins

The Road Safety and Insurance Fund Service has stated that drivers are responsible for 68 percent of traffic accidents in Ethiopia, with the remainder mainly caused by pedestrians and road conditions. On this topic, the service launched a one-month mass media campaign on last week focused on raising awareness about speeding, the leading cause of traffic accidents. The campaign, under the motto "Slow Down, Speeding Ruins Lives," plans to shed light on the dangers of speeding. Yohannes Lemma, E...


Radar

Askari Metals Secures Five Gold Licenses in Untapped Adola Belt

Askari Metals has acquired 100pc of Rift Valley Metals, gaining five gold exploration licences covering 460sqkm in Ethiopia's Adola Greenstone Belt, part of the southern Arabian-Nubian Shield, a mineral-rich but underexplored region. "The exploration areas—Sakaro, Sakaro West, Lega Dembi South, Megado, and Wayu Boda—lie near Ethiopia's top gold mines, including Lega Dembi and Sakaro, which have produced over three million ounces of gold. The area is known for orogenic gold systems hosted...