(Daniel Berhane)

Ethiopian police detained twelve individuals today, according to the press statement from the Federal Anti-Corruption Commission.

Melaku Fanta, Director General of the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority with the rank of a Minister is among the detainee.

His deputy, Gebrewahed Woldegiorgis is also put in custody.Melaku Fanta - Director of Customs & Revenue Authority(Minister)

The identity of the rest ten detainees was not disclosed. Though it appears none are in the top leadership.

Melaku Fanta was elected to the out-going Council of Addis Ababa city Administration in 2008 as a candidate of ANDM/EPRDF.

Melaku Fenta has BSc in Economics and MBA as well as Diploma in Public Management and Urban Governance. He was studying MA in Customs and Revenue in 2010.

Previously, he served in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, then in the Regional Affairs Department of the Prime Minister Office at different levels and also at the then Ministry of Revenue.

As of 2008, he is in charge of the Revenues and Customs Authority – which replaced the Ministry of Revenue.

He is also one of the 180 EPRDF Council members.

Melaku will be the second Cabinet member to be sacked since the passing of former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi last August.

It is to be recalled Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne recently called the public to provide him tips on corrupted officials.

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You may read the full text of the press statement here (link)

Daniel Berhane

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