The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has linked the Director of Legal Services/ Corporate Secretary of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) to a Ksh40 million bribery case.

An Anti-Counterfeit Agency employee Johnson Adera is under investigations over a multi-million bribery scheme involving counterfeit goods in the country.

“As part of ongoing operations targeting various public service delivery points, the Commission on Thursday conducted a successful search operation targeting one Johnson Adera, the Director of Legal Services/ Corporate Secretary of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) who is under investigations over a multi-million bribery scheme involving counterfeit goods,” read part of EACC statement. 

Confirming the operation on Sunday, January January 26, 2025, the Commission, through Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, said preliminary investigations established that between the financial years 2019/2020 and 2024/2025, the senior anti-counterfeit official received a cumulative total of Ksh 40,344,619 in bribes and kickbacks from traders selling counterfeit goods in the country.

According to EACC, the bribe was as an inducement to allow traders to continue their illegal businesses unchecked and without sanctions, thus jeopardizing the health and safety of citizens.

Adera, who is among several officials under investigation for the bribery scheme facilitating the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, received the bribes and kickbacks directly and through family members and proxies. 

Some of the funds were channeled to pay school fees for his children and cover utility bills.

After the operation, the suspect was arrested and escorted to EACC Integrity Centre where he was interviewed and later released pending finalization of the investigation. 

The operation, which targeted the suspect’s premises pursuant to court orders, yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support finalization of the ongoing investigation. 

“The sale of counterfeit goods endangers lives, undermines legitimate businesses, and diminishes public trust in regulatory institutions. Members of the public should, therefore, remain vigilant and report all such cases to the EACC for action,” read part of the EACC statement