THE long arm of the law appears to be closing in on Members of Parliament accused of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in Constituency grants over the years.

Informed sources told Island Sun on condition of anonymity that a special police anti-corruption taskforce from the National Criminal Investigation Division has completed its investigations of at least five MPs, including senior government ministers.

These MPs included the MP for Baegu-Asifola and Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Hon David Tome, who was arrested and charged two weeks ago.

Case files of four others have been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for verification and advice on whether arrest warrants should be issued.

One senior Minister’s arrest is imminent. The Minister allegedly avoided being nabbed two Fridays ago, using illness as an alibi.

The National CID taskforce is also pursuing cases of other MPs, accused of misusing thousands of dollars in Constituency grants dating back to 2011.

“Because of their complexities, these investigations are continuing but will take longer. What can be confirmed is that investigations into allegations against five MPs have been completed. Their case files are now with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the final stage before arrests can be made.

“As a result of the completion of investigations into the five cases one MP, the Member for Baegu-Asifola and Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, David Tome was arrested and charged two weeks ago,” the sources said.

The sources said it could be a matter of days before arrest warrants are issued for the others, depending on assessment by the DPP’s office.

Moving forward on these cases now depends on the Office of the DPP, they said.

According to other sources, one senior Minister was to have been arrested two Fridays ago, but he had used illness as an alibi to avoid arrest.

The Minister, accompanied by the acting Director of the National Criminal Investigation Division, Nathaniel Kabagita, was seen leaving the Office of the Police Commissioner last Thursday afternoon.

It is not clear whether the visit was connected with the Minister’s impending arrest. Others speculate the visit provided an opportunity to explain the procedure to the Minister and that illness would not stop police from carrying out their work.

Meanwhile at least five other Members of Parliament, including three senior Government Ministers, have been “cleared” in police investigations into corruption.

However sources familiar with the procedures of investigations say police have no authority to clear MPs or anyone from alleged wrongdoing.

“The authority to clear anyone before their case gets to court is the sole responsibility of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, not police.

“Any speculation that these MPs have been cleared has no basis in law. The final decision rests with the Office of the DPP,” the sources said.