By Stephen Akabway Jr
Government has up to November 20 to produce evidence in a case involving Ushs60Bn which senior treasury officers allegedly diverted from paying government loans owed to the International Development Association and allegedly used paid the same to authorized companies.
A magistrate Racheal Nakyazze sitting at the Anti-corruption court warns that she will refer the case to High Court for dismissal if the Directorate of Public Prosecution fails to produce evidence by November 20.
A magistrate is not vested with jurisdiction to hear a case of this magnitude and only mentions the same as prosecution gathers evidence and upon the evidence being fully compiled, then a presiding magistrate sends the case to High Court for trial.
The suspects in these matters which include corruption and money laundering, are the Accountant General, Lawrence Ssemakula, the director of Treasury Services, Jennifer Muruzi, Adron Twesogimwe, Tony Yawe, Paul Nkalubo Lumala, Deborah Dorothy Kusiima, Judith Ashaba, Betina Nayebare and Mark Kairu.
Following another request for adjournment by a DPP representative based on incomplete inquiries, a senior criminal defence lawyer, Rukutana Mwesigwa quickly raised up and requested for a summary dismissal of the case, citing lack of prosecution.
A presiding magistrate concurred with Rukutana’s concerns presented on behalf of his clients who for the last six months have been religiously attending court only to be continuously informed by the DPP’s representatives that inquiries were still incomplete.
But in light of the sensitivity of the case coupled with the large sums of public funds involved, a presiding magistrate has given the prosecution another last chance which expires on November 20 to produce evidence or else risk losing the matter. All the suspects who are currently out on bail, will be required to attend to court again on the next date and during which they will be informed of the way forward. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
