Major General Kinfe Dagnew, former Director General of the Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), appeared at the federal high court 10th criminal bench today.
He was taken into custody by police yesterday over alleged corruption.
Eight other individuals, including the former EBC journalist Fitsum Yeshitla, also appeared in court.
Major General Kinfe told the court that he can’t afford to pay for defense lawyer as he gets 4,000 birr as retirement.
He requested the court to assign him a public defender and the court accepted his request.
The court adjourned the next hearing until tomorrow.