Federal prosecutors have filed heavy corruption and money laundering charges against thirteen individuals, including the former manager of Ethiopia's Labor Market Information Project Office and top ministry officials, over a fraud scheme exceeding 1.13 billion Birr, according to charges brought before the Federal High Court's 5th Heavy Corruption Bench.
The former Project Office Manager, Berhanu Aleka Asgedom, stands accused of abusing his position to generate an illegal benefit of 1,134,609,241.93 birr. The scheme exploited Ethiopia's Labor Market Information System, specifically the online Center of Competence certification process required for citizens seeking overseas employment. Investigators found that Berhanu and co-conspirators granted administrative privileges, including COC Special Admin rights, to unauthorized individuals outside the ministry. These individuals then approved competency assessments without proper training or evaluation in exchange for fees collected from departing workers.
To hide the illicit proceeds, the conspirators created fake identity cards to open multiple bank accounts using photos of other individuals. The stolen funds were subsequently laundered into real estate and luxury assets. Prosecutors said Berhanu and his wife acquired six residential properties in Addis Ababa valued at 223,654,950 birr, as well as a high-end vehicle worth 68,144,738.03 birr. Berhanu faces four concurrent charges, including heavy corruption, money laundering, aggravated breach of trust, and gross mismanagement.
In a related count, Ermias Teklu, former Chief Executive of Overseas Employment at the Ministry of Labor and Skills, has been charged with severe administrative mismanagement for facilitating the departure of 64,091 Ethiopian citizens to Jordan using fraudulent visa documentation. In total, the thirteen individuals face sixteen distinct counts covering bribery, abuse of power, money laundering, and illegal trade in authority. One primary suspect, Tamirayehu Getinet, remains at large.
The case reveals how corruption in employment certification systems can expose citizens to fraud and undermine legitimate overseas employment opportunities for Ethiopians seeking work abroad.