Fraud-accused fugitive Michael Lomas handed over to Hawks after UK extradition
The corruption accused is likely to be added as the fifth accused in the ongoing case involving Eskom contracts worth over R1.5 billion.
Fraud-accused fugitive Michael Lomas arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on 20 September 2024 after he was extradited from the United Kingdom. Picture: Mongezi Koko/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Fraud-accused fugitive, Michael Lomas, who is linked to a R1.5 billion Eskom corruption scandal, has been officially handed over to the Hawks by the SAPS and Interpol after arriving in South Africa on Friday morning.
The 77-year-old, who was extradited from the United Kingdom, is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court later on Friday, facing allegations of fraud and corruption at the power utility.
Wanted ESKOM fugitive Michael Lomas - has landed in South Africa soil after being extricated from UK.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 20, 2024
Lomas was arrested in connection with allegations of fraud and corruption at the power utility amounting to almost R1.5 billion rand@MongeziKoko pic.twitter.com/eDGYRL4u8I
[CORRECTION] EXTRADITED**
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 20, 2024
[CORRECTION] EXTRADITED**
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 20, 2024
The corruption accused is likely to be added as the fifth accused in the ongoing case involving Eskom contracts worth over R1.5 billion.
The matter relates to the construction of air-cooled condensers at the Kusile power station.
Four senior Eskom officials are already a part of that matter.
Lomas was first arrested in London in 2021 and granted bail totalling more than R6 million, but he attempted to evade prosecution, citing ill health, suicide and depression.
However, a London court ruled in favour of the SA police during an extradition application.
Earlier on Friday, the fraud-accused fugitive was accompanied by the South African Police Service's Interpol SA unit and was swiftly handed over to the Hawks.